Nationwide, the number of traffic deaths has spiked. While the number of traffic deaths due to DWI has decreased in Minnesota, the number of deaths for other reasons has increased although the overall number of deaths has seen a decline.

The spike has been seen among drivers that are texting while driving or they are distracted for other reasons.

Years ago, personal injury attorneys wondered what technology would do to their careers. Of course, the goal is for there to be fewer deaths, especially with the implementation of air bags, anti-lock brakes, and other technological advances to decrease the odds of accidents. Unfortunately, where technology was expected to reduce these things, it also increased it in other ways.

Cell phones, iPods, and other such devices that individuals use on a daily basis have made their way into the car and behind the wheel where they don’t belong. If driving was not already an activity where distraction was easy, it is even easier now and is proving to be deadly.

The National Safety Council (NSC) has expressed a great deal of concern over the number of accidents occurring, especially since the safety features in vehicles have been improved.

The NSC has gone on to state that the cost of these accidents have been rather high. Everything from lost wages and productivity and medical expenses to property damage and administrative expenses has led to an estimated cost of motor vehicle injuries and deaths to be calculated at over $276 a billion in 2012, which was a 5 percent increase over 2011.

Driving faster and more distractions have been declared the cause. Even if a person is traveling more than 10 miles below the speed limit because they are distracted, other drivers will become angry and an accident can be caused. When passing a slower driver, the reason tends to be the individual behind the wheel texting or talking on a cell phone.