A devasting car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 car fatalities were attributed to distracted driving in 2022. Unlike collisions caused by weather conditions, distracted driving incidents are entirely preventable. When you understand the most common types of driving distractions, you can take proactive measures to keep them from happening while driving.
Here are the most cited distractions a motorist encounters while driving:
Phone Use
Despite the West Virginia hands-free law passed in 2012, many of our state’s motorists are still using their cell phones while driving. Whether they are texting, making a call, or checking an app, phone use while driving is the leading cause of accidents. It is easy to set up a hands-free hook-up for a phone or to turn it off for the duration of the ride.
Changing Car Settings
If you drive at 45 miles an hour, you travel around 300 feet in five seconds. Five seconds without focusing on the road ahead can trigger a chain reaction of collisions. It will take less than they to fiddle with the radio, climate controls, or other car settings. It would help if you got into the habit of making those adjustments before you start driving.
Eating and Drinking
Eating and drinking while driving is another hazardous distraction. There is a chance you could spill something and react instantly by looking down at the spill. That is all it takes for an accident. Despite the convenience of drive-thru, you should keep any food in the backseat where you won’t be tempted.
Backseat Passengers
You can’t avoid having the occasional backseat passenger, especially if you’re on carpool duty. However, when those passengers are young and unruly, you should consider pulling off to the side of the road to deal with the situation and calm everyone down. You can’t deal with an upset child by reaching behind you when driving.
Reaching for Something
Anything that falls on the car floor while driving should stay there until you come to a complete stop. Reaching for an item under your seat or across from you will take your eyes off the road. Nothing is worth picking up that can’t wait.
Taking Your Eyes Off the Road
Even if you eliminate the other internal distractions, you must watch out for external distractions. Reading bumper stickers, billboards, or building signs are all potential distractions. The same can be said for slowing down to look at an accident scene. Ironically, that could cause another accident!
Pets
You might be able to tell the kids in the backseat to calm down, but you won’t have the same luck with your dog. Yes, dogs love sticking their heads out of the window, but that is extremely dangerous for them and their owner, who is driving. A sudden stop could have the dog tumbling off the seat. Also, dogs should never ride in a driver’s lap. Instead, they should be securely harnessed in a seat or trained to stay in the back space of an SUV.
Extreme Fatigue
Driving while drowsy is another form of distraction that can be extremely dangerous. If you’re tired, your response sign slows down, and you could nod off while driving. It is better to pull over to stretch, grab a cup of coffee, or take a nap.
Finding the Accident Cause
If you are the victim of a car accident, it will be essential to assign negligence. Distracted driving on the part of the other motorist could make them liable for the accident. The experienced lawyers at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, will help with that investigation. We have years of experience providing support and guidance for clients seeking compensation for an accident involving distracted driving. That help begins with an initial consultation. Call to set up the talk today.
