For the seasoned road user, driving can feel almost automatic. Nevertheless, the reality is that driving requires high levels of concentration and continuous split-second decisions.
There is no room for distractions in safe driving practices. Unfortunately, distractions occur and the results are often devastating. In fact, thousands of people are killed every year in distracted driving accidents on U.S. roads. These are a few of the most common causes of potentially-devastating driving distractions.
Cell phones and other devices
Cell phones can be utilized for a multitude of activities, even for directions when driving. The downside of this is that they can become an unwelcome distraction. If a driver needs to reprogram their route on Google maps, then they are not paying attention to the road. It can take seconds to read or send a text message. In driving terms, this means covering a lot of road blindly. Even a brief lapse in concentration to look at an electronic device can result in a devastating collision.
Other occupants
Driving on your own for a long time can become tedious. It’s nice to have company sometimes. Nonetheless, company can turn into a distraction. It’s important that drivers don’t engage in heated debates or complex discussions while trying to focus on the roads. If a passenger is a child, then it’s vital that they know they cannot shout, throw things or misbehave while the vehicle is in motion.
Being lost in thought
Not all distractions are caused by the presence of other people or physical objects. Occasionally, a driver may just be having a bad day. They may have jumped in the car to escape an argument with their partner. They could be on their way to hand in their notice for a job that they haven’t enjoyed. Being lost in thought is one of the most dangerous forms of driving distractions.
Even if you commit to minimizing the distractions that you’re exposed to while driving, another’s distracted behavior could affect your well-being. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, then you may be entitled to compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.