Drivers must be able to give their full focus to driving. Anything that takes their ability to achieve that aim is a distraction. It is now well understood that distracted drivers can cause crashes that are catastrophic.
An average of nine people die each day in the U.S. due to distracted driving. As such, all drivers should understand how distractions can impact a person’s ability to drive safely.
3 types of distractions
There are three types of distractions that can affect a driver. Visual distractions make the driver take their eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions force a driver to think about something other than driving. Manual distractions have the driver take their hands off the steering wheel.
Some distractions encompass one of these, but others involve multiple types of distractions. The key point to remember is that even short distractions can lead to catastrophic results.
For example, looking at a billboard makes the driver look away from the road and think about what it says. Replying to a text message makes the driver look at the phone, think about what they want to say and take their hands off the steering wheel so they can text the reply.
A five-second distraction means a vehicle is moving without control for at least the length of a football field if it’s moving at highway speeds of at least 55 miles per hour. Coincidentally, five seconds is how long it takes to check a text message. That’s a stark reminder of why drivers should ensure they only focus on driving when the vehicle is moving.
If you’re driving, it’s a good idea to watch for signs of distracted drivers. Manifestations of distraction can include things that are often akin to drunk driving, such as swerving or driving aggressively.
Unfortunately, even if you try to avoid distracted drivers, there’s still a chance that one will hit you. This can lead to catastrophic injuries, which may be costly. Seeking compensation in these cases is possible, but you should ensure that you have the assistance of a legal representative who can fight for your interests along the way.