It is certainly true that there are specific types of distracted driving that most people are aware of. One of the most popular examples is texting and driving. As much as people do take the risk and text while they are behind the wheel, they also know that this is a form of distraction.
But rather than thinking about specific actions that drivers should avoid, it can be helpful to consider the three categories of distractions noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This helps to illustrate that there are actually a wide range of distracting activities, and it also shows how texting while driving fits into all three categories.
Visual distractions
To begin with, looking away from the road is a visual distraction. This is true if someone is looking down at their cellphone, reading a billboard, looking at the screen of their GPS device or reaching down to change the radio station. When their eyes are anywhere but on the traffic around them, the odds of an accident go up.
Manual distractions
Speaking of reaching for the radio, anything that takes a person’s hands off of the wheel is a physical distraction. This includes holding a cellphone, drinking a cup of coffee, or trying to hand snacks and drinks to children in the backseat of the car. A driver should always have their hands on the controls.
Mental distractions
Finally, daydreaming or getting lost in thought can be a mental distraction because the driver is not thinking about safely operating the vehicle. Having children in the car or listening to loud music can also create cognitive distractions and overstimulation. Trying to read and process a text message, or thinking about what to write, is a cognitive distraction.
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver? You may deserve substantial compensation for medical bills and other costs.