You’re driving your car down the road and all the while someone is texting, notifications from social media are coming in, passengers are talking, and your child drops their toy screaming for it back. Distracted driving isn’t just about texting and driving. It’s about every distraction that takes our eyes, ears, and focus off of the road. Accidents happen at any time, anywhere and at any speed. If your attention is diverted for even a moment that’s when accidents happen.
Distracted driving is most commonly associated with cell phones, but it is defined as any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the act of driving. Broken down into three categories distracted driving covers distractions that are:
- Visual
- Manual
- Cognitive
Common Distractions While Driving
Since the rise of the smartphone, we are inundated with notifications and when it happens while you’re driving at 60 miles an hour down the road, is when it could be life threatening. The notifications are constantly pulling your attention visually, and cognitively, but it’s also tempting you to pull your phone out and scroll during slow moving traffic or even stop lights, leading to minor car accidents. Cell phones are easily the biggest distractor that we have when it comes to distracted driving, but there are many other distractions that are just as hazardous. Understanding the ripple effect of distracted driving, and its impacts, are essential for car accident prevention.
In-Vehicle Technology
Hands-free technology in our vehicles seems to be a safer option, and was created with the good intentions of eliminating manual distractions. However, this is only when it is fully functioning, we are familiar and comfortable with the system, and we don’t divert to any other additional risky behaviors while driving.
When using in-vehicle technology we need to be responsible enough to pull over if what we are trying to do is overly distracting or if the technology is glitching for one reason or another. Poorly performing systems in the vehicle have been shown to distract drivers for upwards of 30 seconds at a time. Distractions at the wheel, for any length of time, can leave victims with life-changing consequences and injuries.
Eating and Drinking
Long commutes, busy schedules, and drive thru restaurants makes eating in your car tempting, but car accidents can happen in a matter of seconds while eating in your parked car would just take a few extra minutes.
Driving while eating is dangerous because you don’t have both hands on the wheel. If you are eating something convenient that only needs one hand, you have less control over the vehicle. This lack of control delays your reaction times to changes in traffic, or even other accidents on the road.
Doing Hair or Makeup
Running late on an already busy schedule can lead some people to do their hair and make-up on the go. But this takes all of the categories of distracted driving to accomplish. You’re reaching for things, you're visually taking your eyes off the road for long periods of time, and most people attempt to do this with both hands, leaving just their knees on the wheel.
Reaching for Objects
Reaching for objects takes distracted driving to a more physical level. Especially if you are reaching for something on the floor boards, you are potentially using the steering wheel for leverage and changing the pedal pressure that you are applying. This also takes your eyes off the road and delays reaction times. Never reach for things while you drive and always pull over if it needs to be retrieved.
Passenger Interactions
This is a more subtle distraction because passengers can certainly distract drivers. From making phone calls with them, touching controls in the car or even children in the back seat needing things or trying to talk to you. Distractions are taking your focus off of the road and putting your attention on them, placing all of you in danger.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Any amount of time that you are not focused on the road can lead to lifelong impacting consequences. Addressing distracted driving, in the hopes to make impactful changes, starts by drivers recognizing their own behaviors before they cause an accident.
Distracted driving accidents can leave victims with emotional and physical damages, property damages and sometimes they are even tragically fatal. Victims of your distracted driving can pursue legal claims and actions against you to claim compensation.
Tips to Stay Focused Behind the Wheel
All drivers have a personal responsibility to stay focused while operating a vehicle. Combating distracted driving requires a multifaceted approach that combines education, technology, responsibility, and accountability. Public awareness campaigns, and accountability by passengers and family are just the start.
Some ways to stay focused on the road:
- Apps that limit phone usage
- Commit to phone-free driving
- Pre-set maps and music
- Limit passengers and pets
- Ask passengers for assistance
- Keep Calm
Coltrane & Messersmith: Committed to Road Safety
Distracted driving has emerged as one of the leading causes of accidents out on the road. On average, traffic accidents occur every few minutes, while every year thousands are injured and hundreds are killed. Most of these tragic accidents are preventable due to the root cause being negligence and distracted driving.
At Coletrane & Messersmith representing individuals who have been injured in these accidents our goal is to always get you and your loved ones justice. We provide your family with our experienced lawyers when you are injured in an accident that involves distracted driving. The last thing you should worry about is affording quality representation or traveling to see us and that is why we come to you and we handle fees on a contingency basis.
Contact us today to speak with our experienced car accident lawyers and we will do everything we can to get you the most substantial recovery possible.
