Have you ever used your electronics, eaten or drank, daydreamed, or turned to speak to a passenger while behind the wheel? If so, you are engaging in an unsafe driving behavior known as distracted driving. Distracted driving is not only extremely dangerous but also illegal, yet many motorists still engage in this unsafe driving practice. Essentially, this unsafe driving practice occurs when anything diverts a motorist’s attention away from driving. Distractions can come in many different shapes and forms. Unfortunately, distracted driving often results in serious accidents and injuries. According to statistics, in 2020 distracted driving caused around 3,000 deaths and 324,000 injuries. Victims of distracted driving accidents rarely walk away unharmed. In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident as a result of a distracted driver, please don’t hesitate to contact our seasoned St. Petersburg Auto Accident Attorneys who can help you seek reasonable compensation for your damages. In addition, please continue reading to learn about the dangers of distracted driving.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road. As mentioned above, distractions can come in various forms. However, they all divert a motorist’s attention away from the task of driving. Some of the most common distractions behind the wheel are texting while driving, turning to engage in conversation with passengers, smoking, eating, drinking, turning to grab something from the back seat, and applying makeup. However, one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving is texting while driving. According to a recent study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 400 people were killed in 2020 as a result of collisions brought on by texting while driving. Essentially, this means more than one death per day occurs as a result of the distraction of texting and driving.
Being as dangerous as it is, distracted driving behaviors have been classified into different categories. The four primary categories distractions may fall under are visual, manual, auditory, and cognitive. Visual distractions cause a motorist to divert their eyes from the road. Manual distractions cause a motorist to move both of their hands away from the steering wheel. Auditory distractions are sounds that cause motorists to lose focus on the task of driving. Finally, cognitive distractions cause a motorist’s mind to wander which causes their attention to shift from the road. Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. This type of unsafe driving practice is particularly dangerous because if a motorist is not paying attention to the road, they will be unable to adapt to changing road conditions and hazards. In addition, they will have slower reaction times which increases their chances of being involved in a catastrophic injury.
Unfortunately, many distracted driving accidents are off-the-road collisions which have one of the highest fatality rates of all auto collisions. Ultimately, while behind the wheel motorists should only pay attention to the task of driving and keep their eyes on the road to prevent tragic accidents.
If you have been injured in a car accident because of a distracted driver, contact our adept and determined attorneys. Proving a motorist was distracted can be tricky, that’s why you need one of our skilled attorneys on your side to help you prove your injuries were a direct result of distracted driving. Allow our firm to help you get the justice you deserve.
