Distracted Driving is More Than Just Texting While Driving:
Car accidents occur everyday for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents is inattentiveness.
Distracted driving can involve eating while driving, engaging with other passengers, eating while driving and putting on make-up/grooming. Use common sense that is not always so common.
Eating
Looking at the car next to you and seeing someone with a bowl of cereal in your morning commute is unsettling and seemingly, stupid.
Eating is the one distracted driving risk that has been a round for years Some foods are more dangerous than others such as hot liquids, and greasy/gooey foods as they are more likely to spill.
Texting:
VTII study showed that above all other dangerous behaviors, texting is one of the most dangerous. Drivers engaged in text messaging in a heavy vehicle or truck are a whopping 23.2 times more likely to crash than non-distracted drivers. Many states have adopted bans on texting and talking on cell phones while driving. Those bans continue to be difficult to enforce, but data represent the dangers that texting and driving are a fact and may result in as many car crashes as driving under the influence.
Dialing a Cell Phone:
At 60 mph, you can travel a football field in 5 seconds
Dialing a phone involves the simple risk of taking your eyes off of the road for several seconds. Drivers who dialed phone were 2.8 times more likely to crash than non-distracted drivers.
Dealing with Your Kids:
“Don’t Make Me Stop the Car! (How many times did you hear that growing up?)
It sounds rather funny until you are involved in a crash with your children due to being distracted.
Small children do not understand the problem their bickering and crying creates for the driver. At times, my kids have had to just wait until we were able to stop—granted it was a long half hour of crying until they got what they wanted! Some vehicle manufacturers have created “conversation mirrors” which are overhead convex mirrors that allow the drivers to see what’s going on in the seats behind them.
As a driver with small children, parents have to exercise good judgment as always the best solution. As a parent, I know this is difficult, but the safety of your children is really more important than their arguing or requests for additional snacks until you are able to pull your vehicle over.
Playing with Controls:
While technology has come a long way, some driver distraction is actually increased with touchscreens because you have to take your eyes off of the road to operate them. New technology systems are being developed to better address the needs. Know how to operate your GPS and stereo system before you being driving
Putting On Make-Up/Grooming
If you are putting on your eyeliner and mascara, chances are you are not looking at the road. Your hands and eyes are involved in everything but driving, not to mention, you probably aren’t doing a great job of putting your on your make-up though I know women who swear they are good at it–it’s not safe.
At The Cagle Law Firm, we cannot emphasize the importance of NOT multi-tasking while you drive. Driving safely requires all of your attention, eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and the other driver was distracted, you may need an experienced auto accident attorney to be certain you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Call us toll free 1-800-685-3302 or locally 314-276-1681
Summary
Call us if you are injured in a car crash 314-276-1681
