If you’re like many other Georgia parents, you’ve likely scolded your children on occasion regarding excessive use of electronic devices. Perhaps you’ve even had similar discussions (or arguments) with your own spouse about his or her cell phone addiction. He or she may deny there’s even a problem. That’s not surprising, as those who are addicted to drugs, alcohol or other things also often struggle to admit they have a problem.
Cell phone addiction can have a negative effect on personal relationships and can cause problems in the workplace or in other areas of your life. One place where cell phone addiction is highly dangerous is the roadway. If a Georgia driver is using a cell phone at the wheel, you might be the one who suffers injury if a collision occurs.
How can you tell if someone is a phone addict?
While you can’t very well interview every driver with whom you share the road, you may be able to recognize signs of cell phone addiction in your family members, friends or co-workers. The following list shows some of the most common symptoms of addiction:
- As addiction progresses, it often takes more of the desired object, be it drugs, alcohol or a cell phone, to satisfy an addict’s craving. If you know someone who keeps increasing the amount of time he or she spends on a cell phone, it could be that he or she is addicted.
- Does your spouse or someone else you know get irritable, depressed, restless or angry when access to his or her phone is denied? That’s also a common sign of addiction.
- Using a cell phone while driving is not only inappropriate, it is illegal in most states. Another sign of addiction, however, is that the person with the problem will be less and less likely to control his or her use of said object.
- People addicted to cell phones often buy multiple phones in a small amount of time. They may have drawers full of supposedly outdated phones in their house because as soon as the latest upgrade hits the market, they “have” to have it.
If cell phone addiction is causing a problem in your marriage, in your parent/child relationships or elsewhere in your personal or professional life, you can tap into local resources that provide guidance and support.
If a motor vehicle collision and injury occur
Georgia law allows accident victims to seek financial recovery for their losses by filing personal injury claims against those whose driving negligence directly caused the incident that resulted in their injuries.
