It’s important for drivers to realize that distracted driving comes in many different forms. It does not just mean texting and driving. Any type of distraction can cause a car crash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts distracted driving issues into three main categories. All drivers should carefully consider what they are and how to avoid these activities.
1. Visual distractions
First of all, some drivers face visual distractions. This means they are looking anywhere other than the road. Looking at the screen of a GPS is a visual distraction, as is turning to talk to a child or a passenger in the car. Even drinking a cup of coffee can be a visual distraction because it blocks the driver’s vision when they tip the cup upward.
2. Manual distractions
Next, there are distractions that cause someone to let go of the wheel, known as manual distractions. These are physical issues, like reaching to change the radio station, handing something to a child, picking up an item that fell on the floor or even adjusting systems – like the mirrors or the steering wheel – within the vehicle.
3. Cognitive distractions
Finally, drivers can be mentally distracted and cause accidents even when they are looking at the road. Some drivers get lost in thought, some begin to daydream and some sing along with the music. Mental distractions may not be as obvious as manual or visual distractions, but they can still cause accidents.
Have you been hit by a negligent driver who was distracted? If you suffered injuries, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.
