All drivers are expected to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. One thing that they shouldn’t succumb to is distractions. Many drivers assume that they’ve been driving long enough that they can handle certain distractions without it having a negative impact on their driving abilities.
All distractions can be dangerous. These include those that are cognitive, visual and manual. While it’s possible that a distraction will include only one of these, many have more than one.
Examples of distractions
If something makes the driver stop thinking about driving, take their hands off the steering wheel or look at something other than the road, it’s a distraction. Drivers may be tempted to take a sip of a drink or change the song that’s playing, but those are distractions. Even thinking about the stress at home or work can be a cognitive distraction for a driver.
Length of distractions
Even short distractions can cause serious problems. A vehicle that’s moving at 55 miles per hour will travel 100 yards in just five seconds. That’s moving the full length of a football field. Checking a text message is one example of a distraction that takes an average of five seconds.
When a distracted driver causes a crash, the innocent victim may suffer considerable injuries. The medical care can quickly become costly. They may choose to seek compensation from the negligent driver who caused the wreck. This is a time-sensitive undertaking so it may help for them to work with someone familiar with these cases.