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Texting and Driving vs. DUI: Which Poses a Greater Threat on San Diego Roads?

Posted by: dhendricks, in: Personal Injury Law ,

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San Diego’s scenic highways and bustling streets are often shadowed by dangers lurking on its roadways. Among the most alarming threats are texting while driving and driving under the influence (DUI)—two preventable behaviors that result in devastating accidents. But which poses a greater risk? At National Injury Help, our San Diego County personal injury lawyers delve into statistics on these hazardous driving behaviors, risks, and consequences to understand their impact better.

Texting and Driving

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Texting while driving is a form of distracted driving that has become one of the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. Glancing at your phone while driving can have catastrophic consequences despite its simplicity.

Texting and driving is dangerous due to its:

Visual Distraction: Taking your eyes off the road for just 5 seconds while traveling at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Cognitive Impairment: Your brain shifts focus from driving to reading or typing a text, reducing reaction time.
Manual Distraction: Holding a phone means one or both hands are off the wheel, making quick maneuvers nearly impossible.

San Diego’s urban sprawl and heavy traffic mean drivers are often tempted to check their phones during gridlock.

Unfortunately, this leads to:

Rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic.
Failure to notice pedestrians or cyclists.
Lane-departure accidents due to inattention.

The Risks of Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in San Diego or anywhere in California impairs judgment, slows reflexes, and reduces a driver’s ability to make safe decisions. Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, DUIs remain a leading cause of fatalities on San Diego roads.

DUI is dangerous because it leads to:

Impaired Judgment: Alcohol and drugs affect decision-making, leading to reckless behaviors like speeding or running red lights.
Slowed Reaction Time: Impaired drivers often fail to react quickly to sudden changes on the road, such as a car braking ahead.
Reduced Coordination: The physical control required to steer, brake, or accelerate is diminished.

According to recent data, San Diego County ranks among the top regions in California for DUI-related accidents. Many of these incidents occur during weekends and holidays when alcohol consumption tends to be higher, leading to an increase in impaired drivers on the road. Unfortunately, DUI accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities, as they frequently involve high speeds and a lack of control behind the wheel.

Texting and Driving vs. DUI: Comparing the Risks

Factor	Texting and Driving	DUI
Frequency	More common due to widespread smartphone use.	Less frequent but still prevalent in San Diego.
Reaction Time Impaired	Severely during texting.	Significantly slower due to intoxication.
Likelihood of an Accident	Texting increases crash risk by 23x.	DUI is involved in nearly 30% of fatalities.
Severity of Crashes	Typically, lower-speed accidents.	Often involves high-speed, fatal collisions.
Preventability	Entirely preventable by avoiding phone use.	Fully preventable by not driving impaired.

While texting and driving occur more frequently, DUI accidents tend to result in more severe injuries or fatalities. Both behaviors are equally preventable and threaten San Diego’s road safety.

The Legal and Financial Consequences

Both texting while driving and DUI come with steep legal consequences in San Diego:

Texting While Driving

Fines: Initial fines range from $20–$50 but can escalate with repeated violations.
Liability: Texting drivers can be held liable for damages in an accident, including medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Driving Under the Influence

Criminal Charges: A first-time DUI conviction can result in fines up to $1,000, license suspension, and mandatory DUI school.
Civil Liability: Drunk drivers who cause accidents are responsible for compensating victims for their injuries, lost wages, and other damages.

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a texting or drunk driver, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. At National Injury Help, our San Diego personal injury lawyers are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer in San Diego Today

Our proven track record, glowing client reviews, and powerful testimonials highlight our commitment to responsiveness, attentiveness, and securing favorable outcomes for personal injury clients in San Diego and nationwide. Contact us today to discuss your critical personal injury claim—let us handle every detail with precision so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.