Distracted driving is becoming an increasingly larger concern as time goes on. There are now more distractions than ever before. From podcasts to ebooks to cellphones, there are endless ways to consume media— many of which can be done behind the wheel.
Whether it’s due to being stuck in LA traffic, feeling too comfortable on your normal commute, or feeling as though you can multitask behind the wheel, distracted driving is something people continually try to justify each day— even after knowing of the many associated injuries and deaths each year.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Most people hear the phrase “distracted driving” and initially think of someone texting behind the wheel. While texting and driving is the most common and dangerous form of distracted driving, there are many other acts that fall under this driving impairment.
Distracted driving is essentially anything that takes your attention away from the road, which is why it’s such a growing epidemic. Texting behind the wheel, eating, and applying makeup are well-known distractions, however, there are many actions that have a hard time being categorized.
Because of this, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has put together 3 categories of distractions in order to help explain how common this driving impairment is.
Visual
Visual distractions are those that cause you to take your eyes away from the road, which includes:
- Using your cellphone
- Changing GPS settings
- Turning to chat with your passengers
- Grooming yourself
Manual
Manual distractions cause you to take your hands away from the wheel. Some common manual distractions include:
- Using your cellphone
- Eating
- Grooming yourself
- Passing items to your passengers
Cognitive
Cognitive distractions are rarely thought about. These distractions cause you to take your mind away from the road ahead. Common examples include:
- Listening to podcasts/ebooks
- Driving after receiving emotional news (recent break-up, the passing of a family member/friend, etc.)
- Daydreaming
- Talking to passengers
Why Do People Drive Distracted?
As you may notice, many of the activities on this list are things that we as drivers do nearly every day. The real problem with distracted driving is that drivers across the nation are not taking these driving impairments seriously enough. The dangers associated with driving distracted are often overlooked, which leads to many deaths each year.
Distracted driving is 100% preventable. The choice to drive distracted is a selfish one, that puts the safety of other drivers on the road at risk.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident involving a distracted driver, our team at The Law Offices Gerald Marcus understands the emotions you are feeling. To have your life turned upside down because of another’s careless negligence is something that may leave you unsure of the steps to take next.
Call us today (800) 905-8777 to learn more about how our Los Angeles car accident attorneys can help you recover what was lost. We offer FREE consultations.