Recently, a tragic accident in Queens nearly took two young lives. The cause was distracted driving. But the distraction in this case wasn't talking on a cell phone, texting, eating, or any of the other activities usually responsible for a driver's inattention. It was arguing.
A Queens man was driving with a woman companion in Springfield Gardens. At 160th Street and North Conduit Avenue, police said, the driver lost control of the car. It jumped the sidewalk, smashed through a fence, and plunged into the yard where two children were walking home with their father.
The man escaped injury, but both children were struck. The four-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother were rushed to a hospital. The boy was reportedly in stable condition but the girl was critically injured.
No criminal charges were filed immediately, but police took the man to the 113th Precinct, where he was held for violating an order of protection against the woman in the car with him. An investigation into the pedestrian accident continues.
Distracted Driving
The New York State Web site SafeNY.com clearly defines distracted driving:
Any time a driver's attention is drawn away from the task of driving in a safe and defensive manner can be labeled as distracted driving. These distractions can be personal, external or internal.
- "Personal distractions can occur when the driver is impaired by daydreaming, alcohol, drugs, fatigue or unsafe practices like reading, writing, shaving, applying makeup or using electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, iPods or GPS navigation systems.
- "Internal distractions occur inside the car, caused by passengers, animals or objects inside the vehicle.
- "External distractions occur outside the car like other motorists, inclement weather, deteriorated road conditions, or even the scenery."
The site also reports a study showing that in nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes, the driver took his or her eyes off the road just before the accident.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident involving distracted driving, contact a lawyer experienced in the field of personal injury. Conviction for reckless driving in New York State is punishable by a maximum fine of $200 or 30 days in jail for the first offense. Where serious injuries or death is involved, drivers may be subject to additional penalties.
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