Many drivers understand the dangers of driving while texting, but distracted driving encompasses more than just cell phone use. We may not realize it, but distracted drivers likely surround us.
While April has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s something we need to be on the lookout for all year long.
The length of a football field
During football season, we are well aware of how long a field is, especially when our team can’t seem to get to the end zone. Now, imagine driving the length of that field at 55 miles per hour with our eyes closed. It’s certainly not something we would ever do intentionally. Yet, that’s the equivalent of what happens when someone looks down at their phone for five seconds to reply to a text, change the station on the radio or turn to look at their passengers.
Distracted driving can be broken down into three categories:
- Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel
- Visual: Not watching the road
- Cognitive: Not paying attention to the act of driving
The statistics tell a grim story. Distracted drivers were the cause of 3,275 fatalities in 2023. While that is a slight decrease from the previous year, it’s still too high for accidents that could easily have been prevented. Texting is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving as it combines all three types of distraction. But, as stated previously, texting is not the only cause of distracted driving.
Drivers are responsible when they get behind the wheel to maintain control of their vehicles and do their part in making our roads safer. The first step is being aware of how we become distracted when driving. The next step is making small, intentional changes, such as keeping your phone out of reach and silent while driving.
A distracted driver can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been injured in an accident because someone was driving distracted, you may be able to receive compensation to cover the cost of your medical care.