People seem to think that being busy and multitasking are hallmarks of success, but those aren’t always good ideas. One of these times is while driving. People who are operating a vehicle should have their focus on driving and nothing else.
Distractions while driving can cause a driver to miss important events around them. Many people don’t realize that there isn’t just one type of distraction. Instead, there are three categories of distractions:
- Manual: Involves the driver’s hands
- Visual: Involves the driver’s sight
- Cognitive: Involves the driver’s mind
Some distractions can involve only one of those three categories, but many involve more than one.
Does the length of the distraction matter?
Even short distractions can lead to catastrophic crashes. Think about this – in only five seconds, a car moving at 55 miles per hour will go the length of a football field. If the driver is going faster, the distance traveled in five seconds will be even greater. In that distance and short time, it’s possible for the vehicle to slam into another vehicle, drive off the road or strike something on the side of the road.
Distracted driving crashes are preventable if drivers focus on driving and wait to do other things, such as checking a phone or putting on makeup when they aren’t behind the wheel. Victims of distracted driving crashes will likely need medical care, which can impact them financially. They may choose to seek compensation from the distracted driver, but they must do this quickly because of time limits set by state law.