You will often hear people say that distracted driving is a problem in the United States. And this is true. It does cause car accidents every day, and people suffer injuries and even pass away in these crashes.
But it is important to remember that there are many different types of distractions. People often are just referring to texting and driving, and it is one of the main causes. But the reality is that there are distractions both inside and outside of the vehicle that could cause a serious accident.
Taking focus away from the road
Inside of the car, anything that takes a driver’s focus away from traffic around them is a distraction. Examples include:
- Texting and driving
- Making a phone call
- Talking to passengers
- Dealing with children or pets
- Adjusting the radio station
- Adjusting the mirrors
- Looking at a GPS
- Listening to music
- Eating or drinking
Many of these things feel necessary to drivers. A parent has to talk to their child or hand them snacks and drinks during a long trip. But that can still cause an accident because they are not paying as much attention to the cars around them.
Outside of the car, distractions could include a variety of things, such as:
- Gawking at previous accidents
- Looking for specific street signs
- Reading a billboard
- Nervously watching aggressive drivers
- Looking at the scenery
Many accidents happen when a driver’s mind simply wanders. They find themselves daydreaming, perhaps gazing off at the horizon, instead of looking down at the car ahead of them.
Seeking financial compensation
Avoiding distraction can be hard, but drivers do have an obligation to pay attention to the road and drive safely. If you get injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, then you may be able to seek financial compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages and other costs.
