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Distracted driving is very much in the spotlight today, and for good reason. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each day in the United States, nine people are killed and more than 1,500 are injured in crashes caused by a distracted driver. The National Safety Council reports that 28 percent of accidents are the result of cellphone use on the road. Despite growing awareness of this problem, these numbers are increasing. You might think that texting while driving is the primary culprit, but a surprising number of other factors contribute to driver distraction on the road. Three Types of Distracted Driving Three main distraction factors contribute to mistakes behind the wheel. The first is taking your eyes off the road. On the freeway, it only takes five seconds to travel the length of a football field. You can imagine how much you miss, even if you look away from the road for just a few seconds. The next distraction factor involves taking one or both hands off the steering wheel. The final type of distraction is considered the most deadly: taking your mind off of your driving. Cognitive distraction lies at the heart of this growing problem because all that’s required for distraction is a runaway train of thought. Most Common Sources of Distraction Certainly texting behind the wheel is a serious problem, but it appears to be waning. Taking its place is checking Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Talking on the phone is much more dangerous than most people believe, especially if it’s not done hands-free. A cup of hot coffee in the car has long been known to distract even the most diligent motorist, as can having to attend to children in the car. Passengers can be highly distracting, especially if you’re arguing or having an emotional discussion with them. Food, the radio, maps, smoking, a lack of sleep, applying makeup or adjusting the temperature all present significant risks while driving. Even personal stress or daydreaming can distract a good driver enough to cause an accident. Younger drivers are the most likely to engage in distracted driving, by a significant percentage. What’s Being Done about This Dangerous Problem The American Automobile Association recently published a study that shows 90 percent of Americans believe that distracted driving of any type is dangerous and unacceptable. Would you be surprised to learn that 35 percent of those same people reported having sent or read a text message while driving and two-thirds reported talking on their cell phone while behind the wheel, both in the month prior to the study? Although some states and municipalities have passed laws banning cell phone use on the road, many others have declined to do so. Enforcing these laws is difficult at best, and psychologists agree that education is the key to changing behavior. Fifty years ago, many drivers felt it was acceptable to drive while under the influence of alcohol, but fortunately that perception did eventually change. Practicing concentration behind the wheel is the best way to avoid a distraction-related accident. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, a distracted driver can cause significant injury or even death to you and your passengers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, speak to an attorney to determine whether distracted driving may be the cause.
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