Texting and driving is perhaps the clearest example of a driving distraction. A person who is using their cellphone simply cannot be as focused as necessary on the road ahead of them. They can suffer from mental, physical or visual driving distractions.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically notes that just about anything that takes someone’s focus away from driving can count as a distraction. If it takes their eyes off of the road, it is a visual distraction. If it takes their hands off of the wheel, it is a manual distraction. If they are just thinking about something other than driving the vehicle safely, it is a cognitive distraction.
What are some common examples?
It is important to understand how to operate a vehicle safely, so let’s take a quick look at some distractions that could lead to an accident. Examples include:
- Entering an address in a GPS device
- Reading a map
- Adjusting the mirrors or steering wheel
- Reading a street sign or a billboard
- Talking to children in the car
- Dealing with pets in the vehicle
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting the radio station
- Finding a new music playlist on your phone
- Taking a picture or a video out the window
- Rubbernecking at a previous accident that has already occurred
- Daydreaming or getting lost in thought
- Doing personal grooming
- Trying to eat or drink behind the wheel
Even people who think they are relatively safe drivers will often fall subject to these distractions. For example, many people buy coffee for their drive to the office every morning, meaning they are constantly distracted drivers.
Seeking compensation
Have you been injured in an accident that a distracted driver caused? If so, be sure you understand exactly what legal steps to take to seek appropriate compensation.