Anyone who’s driving a vehicle needs to ensure that they can pay attention to the road anytime the vehicle is in motion. Some drivers, particularly those who have been driving for a long time, think that they can multitask while they’re behind the wheel.
The fact is that distracted driving is a danger regardless of how long the driver has had their license. Even activities that some people consider normal in a vehicle are distractions. These include things like grabbing a bite to eat or taking a sip of a drink. Even changing the stereo or speaking to other passengers qualify as distractions.
Types of distractions
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three types of distractions that can affect drivers. These include manual, visual and cognitive distractions. While it is possible that a distraction will fall solely into one of those three categories, it’s also possible that the distraction will fall into multiple categories.
Think about what happens when someone replies to a text message while they’re driving. They may have to get the phone with their hand, which is a manual distraction. They must read the text that they’re going to reply to, which is a visual distraction. They need to think about the reply, which is a cognitive distraction. Finally, they have to actually type out and send the text, which also encompasses all three.
Even short distractions can lead to catastrophic crashes. If a distraction lasts only five seconds, a vehicle moving at 55 miles per hour can go 100 yards in only five seconds. That means the vehicle goes the entire length of a football field without the driver having proper control.
Victims of distracted driving crashes often need considerable medical attention, which can be a costly undertaking. They may opt to seek compensation from the distracted driver. Working with someone familiar with these matters is often a good idea because they can become complex.
