Drivers should ensure they’re able to give their attention to driving, which means that they can’t allow distractions to overtake them. When a driver allows anything to distract them, they can end up causing crashes that lead to significant injuries or fatalities.
Approximately nine people die in this country each day at the hands of distracted drivers. There are also thousands of individuals who are injured in these crashes. It’s critical that all drivers understand exactly why this is such a danger.
Categories of distractions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three categories of distractions, which include:
- Manual distractions that require the driver’s hands
- Visual distractions that require the driver’s eyes
- Cognitive distractions that require the driver’s mind
Many distractions include more than one of those categories. For example, sending a text message requires the driver to touch the phone, look at the phone and think about what they’re going to say.
Length of distraction
Some drivers believe that they can do other things quickly while they drive, but any attempt to multitask can end badly. It only takes five seconds for a vehicle to move a full football field length at a 55 miles per hour speed. That’s plenty of time and distance to have a serious crash.
Victims of distracted driving crashes can suffer significant injuries that require immediate medical care. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help them recover the financial damages associated with the wreck. Time to get this done is limited, so it may behoove them to work with someone familiar with these claims.
