Distracted Drivers

Driving is a very engaging activity, and hence not as easy as it seems. You have to pay attention to countless details, from the vehicle’s operation to road sings. Combine that with long hours of constant driving, and it becomes even harder. There are quite a few distractions that can steer a driver’s attention away from what’s important, easily leading to an accident. In fact, a five year study found that top driver distractions are responsible for about 9% of all serious or fatal car accidents.

The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center conducted a study to determine what it was that drivers were doing while their vehicles were moving. The following list states them, starting with the most distracting behaviors to the least:

• Reaching/leaning
• Fiddling with the radio/music
• Talking
• Eating and/or drinking
• Grooming
• Engaging with passengers
• Reading or writing
• Talking on cell phones
• Smoking

Sometimes you must inevitably do something else while driving, like answering an important call. But most of the time, things can be postponed until a destination is reached. It is important to pay very close attention to the road while driving to safeguard your own and others’ safety. The best way to prevent accidents is to reduce the amount of distractions around you, so you can focus on the road ahead of you. If you do find yourself in a car accident because of distractions, you should contact an attorney to learn about your rights and get help with your case.