What Are The Three Types Of Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving can take many forms. Distracted driving is a preventable issue, and through education on the three types of distracted driving, we can help drivers protect themselves and others.

What Are The Three Types Of Distracted Driving?: How Drivers Avoid Them

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Read on or speak with a car accident attorney today for assistance with your distracted driving case.

Distracted Driving Data

Studies of US roadways estimate that distracted driving makes up about 25% of all US car crashes and claims more than 3,000 lives each year. Distracted driving is just as detrimental for travelers as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Distracted driving is known to lead to fatal car crashes. The exact toll of distracted driving is often unknown because accident investigators often have difficulty measuring the extent to which the driver was distracted. Although the reporting methods are improving, current estimates underestimate how frequently distracted driving causes accidents.

Three Types of Distracted Driving

Visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions can lead to automobile accidents. Read on for more information about how each distraction can be detrimental for those sharing the roadways:

1# Visual Distractions

A visual distraction takes your eyes away from the road. Rubbernecking and observing a crash on the shoulder of the road, looking at an interesting billboard, or acknowledging your children or other passengers have all led to accidents.

Each time you take your eyes off the road, you lose awareness of traffic signals, cars around you, pedestrians, and bikers. This can increase your chances of being involved in a rear-end collision or one of the most fatal accidents, a T-bone accident.

2# Manual Distractions

Manual distractions are those that require your hands. Each time you take your hands off the wheel to reach for your cellphone, change the music, or take a sip of your drink, you increase your chances of having a distracted driving incident. Manual distractions slow your reaction time and lead to other hazards and further distractions.

3# Cognitive Distractions

Cognitive distractions take your mind away from driving. Accidents have been caused by daydreaming drivers, but also those who may be singing along with the music or having a heated discussion with another passenger or on the phone.

Cognitive distractions cause drivers to lose focus of their vehicle due to other hazards on the road and in the surroundings. This can lead to severe accidents because drivers may not get the opportunity to slow down for an oncoming crash due to their level of distractedness.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Some of the worst accidents are caused when drivers are engaged in all three distractions while driving. If a distraction takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind away from the present moment, it can be extremely dangerous for you and other drivers.

A few examples of these “triple threat” types of accidents typically involve:

• Cellphone use
• Reaching for items on the floor or in the glove compartment
• Eating while driving
• Engaging with passengers

When you engage in distracted driving regularly, you gain irrational confidence, which can also lead to more accidents. Many accidents happen because drivers zone out and start to drive according to their instincts rather than their senses. Many drivers that routinely drive with visual, manual, and cognitive distractions lose focus and don’t even realize they’re in danger until it’s too late.

Distracted Driving Attorney

If you’re involved in an accident because of a distracted driver, then that driver may be held liable for your economic and non-economic damages stemming from the accident. Securing a personal injury attorney will help you prove their negligence due to lack of focus and help you resume your normal life after the accident.

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