Every driver must operate their vehicle safely, but many don’t take the time to think about what that means. Some drivers become overly confident in their driving abilities and start to try to multitask while driving.
Distracted driving should always be avoided because it’s impossible for a distracted driver to drive safely 100% of the time. The issue is that even small or short distractions mean the driver can miss something that requires their attention.
What’s considered a distraction?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three categories of distractions. Manual distractions force the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel. Cognitive distractions occupy the driver’s mind and thoughts. Visual distractions require the driver to look away from the roadway.
While many activities drivers do are affected by only one of those, there are many that involve two or three. Responding to a text message is an example of something that involves all three. The driver has to reach for their phone, look at the screen and think about how they will respond to a message.
Why are short distractions dangerous?
Some people think that a short distraction isn’t a big deal. The truth is that even a five-second distraction can have devastating results. At highway speeds of only 55 miles per hour, a vehicle will travel 100 yards in five seconds. That’s the length of a regulation football field, which is ample distance for a catastrophic crash to occur.
Distracted driving crashes can sometimes lead to significant injuries, including spinal cord or brain injuries. Victims of these crashes should seek immediate medical attention. They may also opt to seek compensation for the financial damages associated with the crash. The time to do this is limited, so it’s often best to work with someone who’s familiar with these crashes so they can provide assistance throughout the process.