Did you know Distracted Driving is the number one cause of collisions. Find out some ways this occurs and how to be focused on not letting it happen.
Distracted Driving – The Number One Cause of Collisions
There are many ways to distract yourself while driving; some are more dangerous than others. Texting while driving is the most well-known, but it’s not the only form of distracted driving.
Texting while driving takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, which, at 55 miles per hour, you’re traveling the length of a football field blindfolded.
Texting
Taking your eyes off the road can spell disaster, even briefly. The most common cause of a collision is texting, which causes a driver’s reaction time to decrease by up to five times.
People often overestimate their ability to multitask while driving. In reality, it is nearly impossible to do both safely.
Reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, this is the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field without your eyes on the road.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness while driving is a considerable risk factor in crashes. Many drivers are aware that they are drowsy when it is too late. Government statistics suggest that drowsy driving is much more common than previously thought, though it can be challenging to detect in accident reports.
The majority of drowsy driving accidents occur between midnight and 8:00 a.m. This is because your body is most naturally wired to sleep at these times. Young people, shift workers, and those taking certain medications are all at risk.
Alcohol
Taking your mind off the road by drinking alcohol while driving can significantly increase your chances of getting into a traffic collision. This type of distraction can cause visual and manual distractions and is dangerous because it impairs your capacity to adjust swiftly to changing driving circumstances.
This is why it is essential only to drink when you are not behind the wheel. Alcohol can impair your reaction time and have a severe accident effect, even in small doses.
Eating
Eating while driving is a severe problem that can be very dangerous. Eating requires both hands, so it takes the driver’s hands off the wheel. This can be dangerous if the driver needs to maneuver to avoid a collision quickly.
Looking down to eat can also take the driver’s eyes off of the road. This can be dangerous if they see an accident or something unexpected on the road.
Drinking and Driving
Whether driving drunk or simply having one drink too many, alcohol impairs vision and muscle coordination and slows reaction times. Thousands of people die each year in car accidents with drunk drivers.
Head-on collisions can be hazardous when the front of one vehicle slams into the front of another, moving at high speeds. The injuries can be devastating and often life-changing.
People who drive while intoxicated frequently run red lights or speed, resulting in low-speed or high-impact collisions. Those who survive may suffer from traumatic brain injury or paralysis.
Using the GPS
Using the GPS is another common distraction that can cause accidents. This is because many drivers tend to react to the GPS instructions too quickly and end up taking sudden turns or lane changes that could lead to crashes.
Whatever action diverts a driver’s focus from the road is considered distracted driving. This includes visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. It is best to avoid any distractions while you are driving. If you get involved in a collision caused by distracted driving, contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights to compensation.
Changing the Radio Station
While driving, even switching the radio station might cause distractions. For one, it requires a driver to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road to press a button. It also involves a cognitive distraction because drivers think about other things while operating their vehicle rather than the road.
Distracted driving endangers drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. According to studies, within three seconds of a crash or near-collision, driver distraction is linked to 80% of car crashes and 65% of near-accidents.
Looking at the Roadside Advertisements
Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road is considered distracted driving. This includes reaching for food, drinks, or other objects, interacting with passengers, and even glancing at roadside advertisements.
The last thing you want when driving on the highway is to hit a vehicle or person. To avoid this, roadside ads should be easily read and in a bold font. This is especially important on moving buses where drivers have only a few seconds to catch sight of the advertisement before it is too late.
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