Getting behind the wheel of a car is one of the most common occurrences in our day-to-day lives. Whether we’re on the way to work, driving to the grocery store or out to meet with friends, operating a vehicle is something most of us will do on any given day. What’s unfortunately just as common is the number of auto-related injuries and deaths that occur while a driver is distracted and gets into a car accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States alone 8 people are killed and more 1,110 are injured per day due in part to accidents and crashes caused by distracted drivers. Learn about the three main types of distractions that can take the attention of your fellow drivers and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
VISUAL DISTRACTIONS
The most common type of distraction is one that is often the quickest and deadliest. Throughout your drive, you may encounter an event that forces you to take your eyes off the road. Whether it’s adjusting something on the inside or outside of your vehicle, encountering something unexpected in your environment, or checking your phone, you can easily become distracted. Even the slightest turn of your head can be enough to make you unaware of something in your line of vision, which can result in a car crash.
MANUAL DISTRACTIONS
Sometimes a visual distraction leads you take your hands off the wheel. You might be answering a phone call you just received, taking a sip of your drink or reprogramming your map. Whatever the case may be, if one or both of your hands have left the steering wheel, your vehicle is no longer within your control, and maintaining control of your vehicle is the best way to prevent auto accidents.
COGNITIVE DISTRACTIONS
It’s not always easy to clear your mind of distractions. Unfortunately, there are many people who aren’t in the right emotional state of mind while they are driving. Whether you’re experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed at work, financial strain or family stress, if your emotions are taking most of your energy and attention, you aren’t focusing on safe driving. This type of distraction can delay your response to hazards, increasing your chances of getting into a car accident.
PROTECTING YOURSELF
Next time you get behind the wheel of your car, it’s important to direct your full attention to the task at hand: driving. In recent years, one of the biggest factors in auto-related accidents has been texting while driving. A report by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) noted that texting is one of the highest – and worst – causes of distracted driving as it combines factors in visual, manual and cognitive distractions. At 55 mph, an average text takes your eyes off the road for the length of an entire football field – that’s 100 years within four seconds. It only takes a split second to get involved in a car crash. Ensuring you drive safely protects you, your family, and your fellow drivers.
Are you the victim of an injury or have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s distracted driving? You may be entitled to receive compensation as part of a personal injury case. You can trust the Eason Law Firm to handle your case so you get the compensation you deserve. We. Win. Cases. Period.
Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.