Drivers who get distracted do not react as quickly to hazards on the road. They often make mistakes like drifting over the centerline or failing to stop when traffic in front of them comes to a halt. They are generally just not nearly engaged enough with driving to do it safely.
Distraction can take many forms, though. Cellphones often get the most blame, and they do contribute to many accidents, but they’re certainly not the only risk. Here are the three main forms, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Cognitive distractions, or mental distractions that make drivers think about things they should not be thinking about while driving
- Manual distractions, or issues that cause drivers to fail to keep both of their hands on the wheel at the same time
- Visual distractions, or things that cause drivers to look away from the road while they are actively driving the car
For instance, a driver who is reading a billboard may be suffering from a visual distraction. If the billboard advertises something that the driver wants and he or she then starts thinking about how to get to the business in question, that is a cognitive distraction. If the driver reaches for a cellphone to Google how to get to that business, that is a manual distraction. Naturally, anything that the driver then does on the phone after picking it up can just add more layers of distraction and increase the odds of an accident.
Have you gotten injured in an accident with a distracted driver? If you have, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs. Please contact Pincus & Currier for additional information.