Distracted driving is a significant problem in the United States. It kills thousands of people every year and injures many more. Cell phones are a common culprit in distracted driving accidents, but there are other distractions. This blog post will explore some of the dangers of distracted driving and offer tips for avoiding it.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is any task that diverts your attention away from the primary concern of driving. It can include anything from texting to eating to talking on the phone. Distracted driving is a significant contributor to car accidents and can be deadly.
It is essential to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and avoid engaging in any activities that could take your attention away from the road.
If you must do something that requires your attention, pull over to a safe location first. Sometimes nothing can prevent you from a distracted driving accident; that is when you need to call a distracted driving accident attorney.
What are the types of distracted driving?
Manual, visual, and cognitive distractions are the three most common types of distracted driving.
Manual distractions: They occur when you remove your hands from the steering wheel. Manual distracted driving includes texting, fiddling with the radio, or eating.
Visual distractions: They are the activities or situations that divert your attention away from the road. Visually distracted driving can occur when looking at something inside or outside the car. For example, you may be looking at a GPS device, or you may be looking at something that caught your eye on the side of the road.
Cognitive distractions: They are when your mind wanders, and you are no longer focused on driving. Cognitive distractions can occur when you are preoccupied with thoughts or emotions or simply not paying attention to the task of driving. For example, you may daydream or think about something that happened earlier in the day.
What are the dangers of distracted driving?
The dangers of distracted driving include injuring or killing yourself and others. Statistics show that nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured daily in the US due to distracted driving. It is a huge problem, and it is essential to be aware of the dangers before getting behind the wheel.
How to avoid distracted driving?
Be precise with new drivers that they should not use wireless devices while driving. Discuss the dangers of taking their eyes off the road, even for a few seconds.
Set boundaries for yourself and others about cellphone use while driving. Never text while driving; if you must talk on the phone, pull over to a safe place first.
Tell family and friends about the benefits of driving without distractions. You can also take information to kids’ schools and ask that it be shared with students and parents.
Know the laws in your state regarding distracted driving. Many states have banned handheld cell phone use while driving, and some states also prohibit all cell phone use by novice drivers.
Distracted driving is a problem that continues to plague our society. The statistics are alarming, but there are ways we can all work together to make our roads safer. We must educate ourselves and our loved ones about the dangers of distracted driving, be responsible drivers and passengers and speak up when we see someone else engaging in dangerous behaviour. With everyone’s help, we can make a difference and save lives.