Phone use in the car is distracting as it happens. There are three different categories of distraction, and using a cellphone can involve all of them. These include manual distractions, such as holding the phone; visual distractions, such as looking at the screen; and cognitive distractions, which come from mentally thinking about the activity.
After you get done using the phone, you can eliminate the manual and visual distractions. For instance, you may decide to check your text messages at a red light. When you put the phone down, you’re no longer holding the device or looking at the screen.
But while some people assume this means they’re no longer distracted, it’s important to note that studies have found the cognitive distraction continues for 27 more seconds.
A danger at intersections
One risk this can create is that drivers may be highly distracted as they proceed through intersections, where many serious accidents take place. These drivers have only set their phones down a few seconds ago. They’re still thinking about the text message they were reading just moments before. It takes a few seconds for their brain to actually shift back into the correct mode to focus on driving the car.
In this time, these distracted drivers could make critical mistakes—such as failing to yield the right of way while turning left in front of an oncoming vehicle or hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk. These mistakes can cause serious car accidents and major injuries, so those who have been hurt by negligent drivers must know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and more.
