Distracted driving injures and kills thousands of people every year. The National Safety Council reports that an average of 700 vehicle accidents occur every day as a result of distraction. Tragically, each of these is completely avoidable.
There are three types of distraction that can occur while driving. These are:
- Thinking about anything besides driving
- Looking at anything besides the road
- Touching anything besides those things needed to operate the vehicle
Even one of these types of distraction increases the risk of an accident. Most forms of distraction, however, embody at least two different types, increasing the risk even more.
Common Distracted Driving Behaviors
Distracted driving may include:
- Cellphone Use
- Eating and Drinking
- Adjusting the Radio
- Programming GPS
- Looking at a Passenger
- Personal Grooming
- Rubbernecking
- Daydreaming
You needn’t put a lot of thought into these actions to see where they cross from manual to cognitive to visual, often combining all three, to substantially increase the risk of serious or fatal injury.
Avoiding Distraction
The best way to avoid causing a distracted driving accident is to avoid distractions. Pay attention to the road. Pre-program GPS. Choose your music, podcast, or entertainment before starting the car. Eat and drink when not driving. Groom yourself in a bathroom.
Behave in a manner consistent with what you expect from others. You can only hope to be as safe as you are willing to make those you share the road with.
And remember: onboard electronics are not any safer than handheld alternatives. They are, in fact, even more distracting.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This is a perfect opportunity to review your driving behaviors and to make changes that can help protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. But remember, even the safest of drivers may not be able to avoid an accident caused by someone who is not paying attention.
If you are injured by an inattentive driver, Kelleher Law is here to help. Call us at 833-546-3675 to schedule a free case review today. We maintain offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Atlanta, GA.
