If someone mentions distracted driving, what do you think of? Is it people using their phones? That is one of the most frequent and dangerous distractions, yet, it is far from the only one.
There are three ways in which things can distract drivers — manually, visually and cognitively. Many things affect a driver in more than one way. Here is how it works:
- Manual distractions limit your ability to handle the vehicle: Driving requires two hands on the wheel. You cannot do this if one hand is applying lipstick, holding an apple or searching for candies in the glovebox.
- Visual distractions take your eyes off the road: When someone talks about a scenic highway for driving, think about what that means. You need to watch out for drivers on roads like these. They may be so intent on taking in the view that they do not see you pulling out of a side road.
- Cognitive distractions make you forget where you are: People say driving gives them time to think. Someone deep in concentration on a work problem may not notice the lights have turned red and crash into the back of you.
Drivers can choose not to let something distract them
It can be hard to ignore certain things, such as a screaming child in the back seat. Yet, even then, drivers have the option to pull over and deal with the issue in safety. If a distracted driver injures you, it is crucial to remember they chose to pay attention to something other than the road. If they had made the correct choice, you would not need to claim compensation, as the crash would never have happened.