Cars can travel much quicker than humans on foot. It is for this reason that driving is such a popular mode of transport. Road users can get to work on time or visit friends and families in neighboring towns or cities with few difficulties. However, being able to travel at such efficient speeds does come at a cost. Driving requires high levels of concentration, fast reaction times and multiple split-second decisions. This means that there is little room for distractions.
Unfortunately, distracted driving accidents account for thousands of fatalities every year in the U.S. These are some of the more common forms of driver distractions.
Eating or drinking
There are occasions where drivers may be pushed for time and have not had the chance to eat or drink before setting off. This means that they are more likely to engage in the secondary tasks of eating or drinking while driving. The potential dangers of driving mean that it must be the primary focus at all times. Secondary tasks such as eating or drinking increase the likelihood of an accident by up to 39%.
Cell phone use
Another dangerous secondary task is using a mobile phone while driving. Reading a text or sending one can take multiple seconds. This may not sound like a long time but it means covering a significant distance blindly while driving. Drivers who are distracted by their cell phones are not in a strong position to spot hazards in time to brake before hitting them.
Distracted driving can be considered negligence. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, be sure to look into your legal options in terms of pursuing financial compensation, as you may be entitled to justice.
