Drivers who aren’t giving their full attention to their driving duties are a significant risk to everyone on the roadways. Many people don’t think that they’ll become a hazard because they assume that they’re able to multitask.
It’s critical that all drivers recognize that distractions can occur in many ways, including visual, manual and cognitive. Some actions involve only one of those, but many also involve more than that. For example, a person who is replying to a text message has to look at the phone, think about what they want to say and type out the message. Those are visual, cognitive and manual distractions, all in one activity that the driver is trying to do while they also operate a vehicle.
Why are distractions so dangerous?
Driving requires all of a person’s abilities, so even seemingly small or short distractions can be devastating. Even if a driver is only distracted for five seconds, the vehicle is left without proper control for a considerable distance. When moving at 55 miles per hour, it will go 100 yards, which is the full length of a regulation football field, in only that short period of time.
Anyone who’s the victim of a distracted driving crash will likely need emergency care. This can be costly, and some people may not be able to return to work quickly. This increase in expenses and reduction in income can be financially devastating for some people. Because of this, some victims may opt to seek compensation for those damages. This must be done within a short period, so working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial.
