Distracted driving is very dangerous, as most people know well. The CDC defines distraction as being visual, manual or mental (cognitive). Any of these distractions can lead to an accident because they mean that someone is not in full control of their vehicle. This is why many states, including blank, have made texting and driving illegal.
It’s easy to avoid some of these distractions, especially the manual ones. Changing the radio station while you drive is a physical distraction, for instance, so you can just set your station – or choose a playlist on your phone – before you begin to drive. But visual distractions are so common that they can be much harder to avoid.
Examples of visual distractions
A cellphone is certainly the most common example of a visual distraction, but it’s not the only one. Even drivers who do not text and drive may get distracted by things like:
1. A GPS device
2. Billboards on the side of the road
3. Other car accidents that have already taken place
4. Passengers or pets that are in the car with them
5. Street signs as they try to navigate an unfamiliar area
6. Food and drinks that they attempt to consume while driving
Additionally, parents who have to drive with children are often visually distracted because the children will ask for assistance and the parent will either turn to talk to them or to help them with the task. As you can imagine, this can also become a manual and cognitive distraction very quickly, so all three issues can take place at the same time.
Have you been injured?
Visual distractions are very hard to avoid, and you know that other drivers may not be able to do so, even if you are. Those who have been injured by distracted drivers who caused car accidents need to know how to seek financial compensation.
