Many people equate distracted driving with texting and driving. They think of them as the same thing. It certainly is true that texting and driving is a form of distraction, and it is one of the most common issues to impact drivers in America. Texting drivers cause serious accidents every day.
But texting is definitely not the only type of distraction drivers face. In fact, many drivers suffer from far more distractions than they realize. One reason that distractions cause such a high number of accidents could be that drivers don’t notice the distraction until after causing the crash.
What are some other examples?
The key thing to remember is that there are manual distractions, visual distractions and cognitive distractions. These are the main categories defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Within those categories, distractions may include:
- Using a GPS
- Listening to music
- Changing the radio station
- Adjusting the mirrors or the steering wheel
- Talking to children
- Dealing with pets
- Reading billboards or street signs
- Drinking a cup of coffee during a morning commute
- Eating or drinking during a road trip
- Trying to read a map
- Talking to passengers
- Gawking at other car accidents
These are still just a few examples of many potential distractions. A driver could turn their phone off every time they get in the car, but they could still be significantly distracted by having their kids with them or singing along with their favorite song.
These distracted drivers can cause accidents, even though their phone isn’t involved. Those who suffer serious injuries in these crashes need to know about their legal options to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and the like.