5 Examples of Distracted Driving That Could Cost You
Did you know that distracted driving has a high fatality rate? That is a scary thought.
Phone usage, like texting and making phone calls, are among the more popular reckless driving examples. Infotainment systems finding their way into more passenger vehicles also make things unsafe for drivers.
Other distractions exist, but we want to focus on the most popular forms of distracted driving in this article. We will look into some examples of these distractions so that you become aware of their dangers. This way, you know how to prevent these dangerous situations from occurring.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is a hazardous form of careless driving that has become more common as smartphones have become more popular. When you text and drive, you take your mind away from the road in multiple ways.
First, you lose visual attention when you take your eyes off the road to read or type a message. Even glancing away from the road can make it hard to see vital signs, people, or other cars.
Second, texting involves manual dexterity, which means you must use your hands to control your phone and take them off the wheel. In an emergency, this physical distraction can slow your response time, making it harder to steer, stop, or move your car correctly.
Lastly, texting requires cognitive attention because you have to think about the conversation, which takes your mind off the job of driving. This mental distraction can make it harder for you to predict and react to possible dangers, which increases the chance of a crash. Because texting while driving distracts you in many ways, you should not do it to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
2. Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a hazardous way to go while distracted, and it can lead to bad things. Alcohol and drugs hurt your mind and body, making you slower to respond, less coordinated, and less able to make good decisions.
When you’re drunk, your attention is messed up in a big way. This makes it hard to pay attention to the road, spot possible dangers, and act correctly. Driving while impaired is not only against the law, but it also causes a lot of crashes, injuries, and deaths. It’s important to know that any amount of drink or drugs can affect your driving skills and make you more likely to get into an accident.
If you’re going to drink or take a drug that might make you sleepy or affect your judgment, you should make sure you have another way to get home, like an approved driver, a ride-sharing service, or public transportation. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident caused by a driver under the influence, you must seek legal assistance from experienced professionals like those at alphaaccidentlawyers.com, who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
3. Eating or Drinking
Even though eating or drinking while driving might not seem like a big deal, it can be a severe form of careless driving that can lead to bad things. When you eat or drink behind the wheel, you must split your attention between eating and driving. Getting a quick snack, sipping coffee, or eating a full meal all take physical coordination and the ability to move and manipulate objects.
Reaching for food, opening packages, or juggling tools takes your hands off the steering wheel and makes it much harder to control the car. Also, when you eat or drink, you may need to find, aim, or move your food or drink to your mouth, which requires visual attention. This visual distraction takes your eyes off the road and makes it harder to see and react quickly to possible dangers.
4. Using In-Car Technologies
With increasingly powerful infotainment systems and voice-controlled assistants in modern cars, it can be tempting for drivers to use these technologies while driving. Even though these technologies are meant to make life easier and help people connect, they can also be very dangerous if misused.
You must pay attention to your eyes, hands, and mind to use the technology in a car. Changing the navigation system, picking a song, or replying to voice commands requires you to take your eyes off the road, use buttons or touchscreens, and think about the technology.
To lower the risk, you should learn how to use the technology in your car before driving and use voice commands or hands-free choices as much as possible. But using these tools wisely and paying attention to the road first is still important.
5. Grooming or Applying Makeup
Getting ready or putting on makeup while driving is a dangerous habit that can put your safety on the road at risk in a big way. Even though we are often pressed for time, it is essential to take care of personal grooming outside the car to avoid being distracted while driving.
When doing things like putting on makeup, shaving, combing hair, or adjusting clothes, you need to pay attention to what you see, what you do, and what you think. Trying to do these things while driving takes your attention away from the road and makes crashes much more likely.
When you use a mirror to put on makeup or groom yourself, you must take your eyes off the road for a long time. To keep yourself and others safe, it’s important to only think about driving when you’re behind the wheel. Grooming should wait until you reach your goal or pull over to a safe place.
Don’t Shatter Your Attention With Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of a car accidents and can lead to hefty fines, points on your license, or even jail time. It’s vital to remain focused on the road and the task of driving.
Above are just a few examples of negligent driving behaviors that could cost you. Be a defensive, safe driver, and stay focused on the road!
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