Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents in the United States. It causes more than 1,000 injuries and about nine deaths per day. The CDC recognizes three types of distracted driving. Engaging in any of these activities while driving could put you at risk of crashing.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions include anything that take your eyes off the road. Cell phones are an obvious visual distraction. The amount of people texting while on the road has increased substantially with the introduction of smartphones. Even looking at your phone or GPS device for a second to check directions or change songs could put you at risk. Since many drivers rely on GPS directions, some experts recommend using GPS apps that give verbal directions.
Manual Distractions
Any activity that takes one or both of your hands off of the wheel is considered a manual distraction. This limits your ability to take evasive action if someone gets too close to your vehicle or you have to maneuver around an obstacle on the road. A wide range of activities fit into this category, including:
- Adjusting the radio or changing songs on the phone
- Eating or drinking
- Gesturing while talking to someone
- Checking your phone
- Smoking
- Applying makeup
- Looking for items in a bag or briefcase
Cognitive Distractions
Safe driving requires your full mental focus. Cognitive distractions can divide your attention. Many common tasks fall into this category, including listening to music or podcasts, being too tired or emotional to focus, getting lost in thought, or talking to other people in the vehicle.
Distractions That Fit in Multiple Categories
Many activities distract drivers in more than one way. These tasks are exceptionally dangerous while on the road. For example, texting while driving fits in all three categories. It takes at least one of your hands off the steering wheel, requires you to glance at your phone, and makes you think about something other than driving. Rummaging for items in a bag is a manual and cognitive distraction.
Safe Driving Principles
Keeping distracted drivers off the road is perhaps one of the most effective ways of reducing accident rates. However, it is difficult to change bad driving habits. It is one reason that Virginia lawmakers have targeted distracted driving in multiple legislative sessions.
Bans in multiple states have made it easier for law enforcement officers to pull over drivers they suspect of distracted driving. Some states have expanded their definition of “distracted driving,” while others have focused on making a broader range of activities illegal. In Illinois, for example, it is illegal to hold your phone at all while driving. Officers simply have to see the phone in a driver’s hand to ticket them. Similar bans could come to Virginia as legislators strive to decrease accident rates.
Injured By a Distracted Driver?
If you have been hurt by a distracted driver, then you need to contact a Fairfax car accident law firm as soon as possible. They can gather evidence to build a solid case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Get started now by contacting Hilton & Somer, LLC at (703) 560-0700.
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