Distracted driving has been increasingly becoming a problem as far as road accidents are concerned. In an April 2020 NHTSA article it was stated that in 2018 there were 2,841 people killed by distracted driving. Around 3,000 average are killed yearly because of this cause. In the past, the most common reasons for distracted driving were caused by car stereos (adjusting the volume or radio station). At present, culprits include talking and texting on cell phones, using GPS systems, tablets, and other similar gadgets.
A lot of acts and omissions may constitute distracted driving. However, for this article, we’re going to group them into just four:
Visual
As the name implies, these are the things that make you take your eyes off the road and focus them elsewhere. Rubbernecking, texting while driving (or even just using your phone), using your GPS system, reading billboards or other signs, and the act of checking what your kids or pets are up to in the backseat are included in this category.
Auditory
Any sounds or noises that take your attention off the road are included in this category. It could be that there’s something ticking in your car that distracts you or you could be talking to a passenger or someone on the phone. All these may contribute to you being distracted, thereby making you prone to road mishaps.
Mental
On the outside, you may be keeping your eyes on the road and may seem like your full attention is on it, but sometimes, your mind wanders and gets lost in a day dream even if you don’t intend to. It could be that something’s bothering you from work, at home, or somewhere else. There’s a proper time for you to think about these things, and while you’re still driving, just make sure to focus on the task at hand.
Other Distractions
Some people may have coordination problems, and driving in itself is already a taxing task. So make sure to refrain from doing other things and keep your hands on the steering wheel all the time. If you want to play the stereo, then set it up before you go. Same guidance is true if you want to set up your GPS device. Aside from paying the apparent medical cost when you get involved in a car accident, you might also shoulder the hospitalization cost of the other party concerned. On top of that, you might also be fined with (or without) jail time depending on which state you committed the violation. You could have your driving privilege suspended and need to file an SR22. So, the next time you’re driving, make sure to focus all your attention on driving instead of letting your mind wander and get distracted.