Did you know that every single day approximately 1,000 plus people are injured in a car crash? They’re not injured because of driving under the influence either, although that accounts for more accidents. These people are injured in car crashes because of distracted driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving.” Some people aren’t aware of all the activities that attribute to distracted driving. Here are the 3 main ways people drive distracted:
Visually distracted
This one is pretty straightforward. Anything that takes your eyes off the road is considered a visual distraction. Texting, looking at the passengers in the back seat, reading (as in a map or cell phone etc), looking at interesting sights along the side of the road (rubbernecking) are all examples of visual distractions.
Manually distracted
When a driver is manually distracted, they don’t have both hands on the wheel which means they don’t have control of the vehicle physically. People who engage in eating or drinking while driving have to take at least one hand off the wheel which means they’re not in total control. Some people comb their hair or apply makeup while driving which are other examples of distracted driving.
Cognitively distracted
Driving requires our cognitive skills. We need to concentrate and pay attention to all the signage, traffic, and road conditions. When something distracts our mind, we are cognitively distracted. This distraction is more subtle but just as relevant. Have you ever been driving along and became intensely interested in what was on the radio or engrossed in your thoughts and before you knew it, you’d passed your exit? That is how cognitive distractions work.
Driving distracted is dangerous and the cause of many injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured due to another driver’s distracted driving, then contact us today. We go to bat for you to make sure you get recompensed for your pain, suffering, and damages.
