Drivers who are distracted are a harm to themselves and others, but this is something that’s preventable. Anyone who’s driving should be fully committed to keeping their attention on the road. This might mean something more than what they would expect.
When people think about distracted driving, they usually think about visual distractions. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recognizes two other forms of distractions—cognitive and manual.
How do distractions impact a driver’s abilities?
Visual distractions are those that force the driver to look away from the road. Cognitive distractions are those that take a driver’s thoughts away from driving. Manual distractions are those that require the driver to take their hands off the wheel.
Some distractions may include only one of those forms, but it’s also common for them to encompass more. Even something as simple as getting directions on the GPS can be a distraction because the driver has to look at the GPS program and touch the screen to set the destination. Some may even have to think about how to enter their final destination or look through the options on the GPS.
Many things that drivers do without thinking are actually distractions. These can include things like changing the climate control, grabbing a bite of food, having a sip of a drink or looking at billboards. Talking to other vehicle occupants and checking on children can also be distractions.
Victims of distracted driving crashes should ensure they get proper medical care immediately. This can be costly, particularly if the injuries are catastrophic. Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim to hold the negligent driver accountable. Working with someone who’s familiar with these cases may be beneficial because the claims are often complex.