People who are driving need to ensure they are doing their part to keep the roads safe. One part of this is avoiding distractions so they can focus on traffic and other vehicles. It’s imperative that they block out any potential distractions.
While many people think about cellphones when they are discussing distractions, there are many others that you need to consider. In fact, many things that can distract drivers are commonly done without them realizing they are impacting the safety of those around them.
What is a distraction?
A distraction is anything that takes your eyes off the road, your mind off of driving or your hands off the steering wheel. Some distractions encompass all three of these facets, but others might only include one or two.
Eating, drinking, texting, changing the radio station, manipulating the GPS and talking to other occupants of the vehicle are examples of distractions. Even reading billboards is a distraction.
Why are distractions deadly?
When you aren’t paying attention to the road, you might not be able to react appropriately when there’s a hazard. This can lead to a crash. Some drivers might assume that short distractions aren’t dangerous. This misconception is very dangerous.
A vehicle that’s moving at 55 miles per hour will go the endzone-to-endzone distance of a regulation football field in only five seconds. That’s the average time it takes to read or respond to a text. It’s plenty of distance for a serious crash to occur. Around nine people die on average each day because of a crash involving a distracted driver.
How can drivers remain safe?
The best thing that they can do is just drive. Don’t worry about what’s on ads along the road. Leave the phone alone until they’re able to stop. Set the GPS and radio station before they start their trip. Limit conversations while they are driving. They should also take their time so that they aren’t driving in an unsafe manner while they’re distracted.
If you’re involved in a distracted driving crash, you should ensure that you file the police report and get medical care if you’re injured. You might even consider filing a claim for compensation from the driver who struck you so that you can recover some of the financial damages you’re facing because of the wreck. This is handled through the civil court system and must be done before the statute of limitations expires.