Anything that takes a driver’s attention from the road can be considered a distraction. Distracted driving is a problem that has led to many accidents. You can sustain serious injuries because a driver was not paying attention to the road.
Below are three types of distractions for drivers:
1. Manual distractions
Manual or physical distractions are activities that take a driver’s hand (s) off the steering wheel. These include texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, reaching for things under the seat or in the back seat and adjusting the radio.
A driver distracted by these activities has less control of their vehicle’s direction and stability. Besides, it can be difficult for a driver to respond quickly to a hazard when their hands are not on the wheel.
2. Visual distractions
An activity that takes a driver’s eye off the road is a visual distraction. Examples include looking at the phone, billboards, other vehicles, passengers or the GPS. Eating and drinking can also be considered visual distractions, as a driver may take their eyes off the road when reaching for food.
If a driver’s eyes are off the road and things change unexpectedly, for instance, traffic slows down, they may not notice or not notice quickly enough, causing an accident.
3. Cognitive distractions
Distractions that take a driver’s mind off driving are considered cognitive distractions. For example, daydreaming, listening to music or a podcast, having a conversation on the phone, thinking about an advert on a billboard and chatting with passengers. Eating and drinking can also be a cognitive distraction, as a driver may focus on handling food and not pay attention to driving.
If you are injured by a distracted driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Consider legal guidance to learn more about your case.