Two and a half million. That’s how many accidents occur every year in the United States.
Nearly two thirds (or 64% to be exact) are caused by using a cell phone while driving.
In 2014, 3,179 people in the United States died as a result of a distracted driver more focused on his cell phone than on the road.
These are disturbing numbers. One Matt Reeves almost became part of these statistics. But the then 17-year-old survived the crash in his car. In September 2016, he was driving his mother’s car. According to the newspaper WXYZ Detroit, Matt reached for his cell phone while behind the wheel.
Matt was driving when his cell phone suddenly fell and landed between the pedals.
It was going to end badly.
Matt immediately decided to pick up the phone. But instead of pulling over to the side of the road first, he made a stupid mistake. He continued driving while trying to pick up the phone.
He shouldn’t have done that.
“I thought I could quickly grab my phone, but before I knew it, it was already too late,” Matt told WXYZ Detroit.
This family is hoping their tragic experience can prevent another similar accident from happening
Posted by Shareably on Monday, September 3, 2018
The vehicle in front of him was waiting to turn in a different direction, and Matt crashed into it head-on.
“I saw the back of the black car and I only remember making a very heavy impact.”
It was a terrible head-on collision, but Matt was lucky. The car in front of him was driven by a nurse who quickly stepped out to take care of Matt until the ambulance arrived.
Matt had fractures in his nose, jaw, skull, and eye socket, as well as a severe concussion, an injured shoulder, and a deep gash on his forehead.
Matt later said he regretted what he had done and also admitted that it could have ended much worse.
When he decided not to pay attention to the road, he could have killed someone.
Message from Matt’s mother: Turn off your cell phone
On Facebook, Matt’s mother, Linda, chose to share her son’s story. She wants more people to think about the dangers of using cell phones while driving.
“Put those darn cell phones away in a place where you’re not inclined to take it. Matt was lucky. This could have turned out completely differently.”
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