distracted driving

Top Causes of Distracted Driving and How to Stay Focused on the Road

Distracted driving is more dangerous than many people realize. Accidents are more likely when there are distractions; safe driving requires complete focus. Understanding the causes of distracted driving can help you avoid accidents. Use this guide to become a safer driver by learning common driver distractions and tips to stay focused on the road. 

Types of Driver Distraction

A driver distraction is anything that diverts your attention from driving, possibly increasing the odds of a crash. So, what is an element of driver detraction? Most people probably think about visual distractions like cell phone use when they picture distracted driving. In reality, though, that’s just one type of driver distraction. Here are all three you need to watch out for:

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions involve taking your eyes off the road. It could be to read a text, dial a phone number, change the radio, or even just look at one of your passengers. If you aren’t looking at the road for any reason while driving, that’s a visual distraction. 

Other examples include:

  • Looking at or adjusting your GPS device
  • Staring at billboards, people, or scenery you pass
  • Checking your watch
  • Adjusting the temperature controls
  • Looking in the glove box or center console
  • Adjusting your clothes or applying makeup
  • Staring at external events like a vehicle accident
  • Eating and drinking

Even if you just look away from the road for a moment, you could miss an important visual cue, leading to an accident.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions involve taking your hands off the steering wheel. Your eyes are still on the road, but something makes you move your hands, so you’re no longer in complete control of the wheel. There’s often an overlap between manual and visual distractions, which increases the risk level. For example, if you pick up your phone to check it while driving, at least one of your hands isn’t on the wheel, and your eyes aren’t on the road. 

Manual distractions include:

  • Eating or drinking
  • Texting or scrolling through your phone
  • Smoking
  • Adjusting the radio or temperature
  • Setting the GPS
  • Adjusting your clothing or hair
  • Taking off your coat or sweater

The issue with manual distractions is that you may need to quickly adjust the wheel’s position. If both hands aren’t on the wheel, ready to adjust to the changing situation on the road, you may not have enough time to regain control.

Cognitive Distractions

Cognitive distractions take your mind off the road. Even if you are looking at the road with your hands on the wheel, you can be distracted by your thoughts. Getting lost in your thoughts is a dangerous distraction for drivers. 

Common cognitive distractions while driving include:

  • Daydreaming
  • Being overly tired or stressed
  • Listening to an audiobook or loud music
  • Experiencing road rage
  • Arguing with passengers
  • Getting lost in thoughts about work, school, or your personal life
  • Thinking about something you passed on the road

Cell phone conversations can also pose cognitive distractions for drivers. Hands-free features make it possible to talk on the phone without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road, but the conversation itself could still take your mind off the road. It’s important to stay focused even while using hands-free devices

Why Driver Distraction is a Safety Concern

Distracted drivers pose an increased risk to themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the road. If you’re distracted, you can’t make the best, safest decisions while driving. You’re more likely to get into an accident and injure yourself or others. Avoiding distractions is key to driving safely. 

Statistics on Driver Distraction

Statistics highlight just how dangerous driver distraction can be and how it contributes to a high number of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. In 2022, 3,308 people died as a result of vehicle accidents involving distracted driving, and close to 290,000 people were injured. Around 8% of all fatal vehicle crashes were reported as involving driver distractions, and the actual percentage could be higher since many people define driver distraction too narrowly. 

Regulations and Guidelines

Many states have laws against distracted driving. For example, 30 states prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while operating a vehicle. Violating applicable regulations and guidelines on distracted driving can lead to fines, loss of driving privileges, and even jail time. 

Getting into an accident caused by a distracted driver can have devastating consequences. If you’ve been in an automobile accident involving distracted driving, contact Morris & Dewett Injury Attorneys for help with your case. 

Role of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The NHTSA is a national agency that works toward reducing road crashes to save lives and prevent injuries. It collects data on distracted driving to help states and communities create more effective policies. 

Proposed Policies for Mitigating Distraction

Lawmakers are always coming up with new policies to help mitigate injuries and deaths caused by distractions while driving. Here are some proposed policies:

Keep an eye on the news to see if your state laws and policies regarding distracted driving receive any updates. 

Strategies for Reducing Driver Distraction

Everyone can take steps to become a more focused, safer driver. Try these tips to reduce distractions. 

TIP #1: Keep Your Focus on the Road, Avoid Outside Distractions

There will always be something going on that could take your attention away from the road. It might be your phone, your passengers, or something outside your vehicle. You can’t let those things distract you. Reduce distractions as much as possible before starting the car. 

For example, you can put your phone in “do not disturb” mode so you’re less tempted to check your notifications or respond to texts. If you have passengers, ask them not to be too loud or chaotic to help you focus on the road. Keep your music at a reasonable volume so it doesn’t pull your focus away from driving. 

TIP #2: Refrain From Texting While Behind the Wheel

Texting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. It increases the risk of getting into an accident and suffering some of the most common car accident injuries. To reduce the temptation to text while driving, try one of these options:

  • Turn your phone off entirely
  • Enable settings like “do not disturb” or silent mode
  • Place your phone out of arm’s reach
  • Consider asking a passenger to respond to your texts for you instead
  • Install an app like Lifesaver or CellControl that blocks phone use while driving

No text is worth risking your life and the lives of others on the road.

TIP #3: Avoid Dialing a Handheld Phone While Driving

Even just entering a phone number on a handheld phone can be enough of a distraction to cause problems while driving. If you need to make a call, use a hands-free dialing feature or ask someone else in the vehicle to dial the number. Otherwise, pull over to dial and, ideally, complete your call before getting back on the road. 

TIP #4: Resist the Temptation to Read, Write, or Use Paper Maps While Driving

Sometimes, you feel like you urgently need to do something while driving that will take your mind and eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel. If you’re lost and your phone is dead, it might seem logical to check a paper map for directions, for instance. However, using a paper map is a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction for drivers. You’d be putting yourself, your passengers, and others around you on the road at greater risk. Instead, if you need to read, write, or use a paper map while driving, pull over and do so. You can safely accomplish these tasks while your vehicle is stopped, then get back on the road toward your destination. If it’s not urgent, just wait until you get there. 

TIP #5: Steer Clear of Eating and Drinking When Operating Your Vehicle

Having a quick bite or drink while you’re driving can be very tempting. Whether you’re on your morning commute just trying to get some breakfast in before work or getting hungry and thirsty on a long road trip, it’s normal to want to eat and drink in the car. However, it’s also riskier than lots of drivers know. If you have to look down to pick up your food or drink, that’s time your eyes aren’t on the road. Your mind is at least partially on what you’re eating or drinking, and at least one hand is off the wheel, too. It’s a significant distraction. Try to wait to eat or drink at your destination or pull over and take a quick bite or drink.

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