Is Multi-tasking Really Worth the Devastating Results

Today, I was contemplating how many times people put their own lives and the lives of others at risk when driving in a distracted way. Although repeated studies show an increase in auto accidents due to distracted drivers, many Americans still ignore the results. Instead, they increasingly use phones, navigation devices, and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile offices, chat rooms, and entertainment centers, making our roadways more dangerous. We have become so accustom to the idea of multi-tasking in our everyday activities (household chores, taking care of the kids, or working in an office) that we forget that it is not meant for every situation.

Driving is NOT a time to multi-task. Would you feel safe if you were undergoing surgery and the doctor talked on the phone or was texting during the surgery? Drivers continuously overestimate their abilities to multi-task even if they worry about the dangers of doing so. Now, be honest. Have you ever talked on a cell phone while driving? Have you ever texted while driving? What about read an email behind the wheel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, answer this – did you feel you were driving safely or potentially putting yourself and others at risk? Now, if you said “no,” click here to “Gauge Your Distractions.”

How did you do? Before you answer that next call or text ask yourself, “Is it really that important that you are willing to risk your life or the lives of others? Or, can it wait until you can safely pull off the road? Don’t have the mindset that other drivers are the problem, not you.

Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.