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Common Distractions While Driving
When you think of “distracted driving,” you probably think of texting-and-driving. While you would technically be correct, texting-and-driving is actually an all-encompassing method of distracted driving. What do we mean by this? When it comes to distracted driving, there are three types of distractions:
1. Visual Distractions
Distractions that can draw our eyes away from the road are called visual distractions. Examples of actions that take your focus away from what is in front of you are:
- Looking at car accidents or vehicles pulled over in the shoulder lane
- Focusing on your radio or console screen
- Checking your cell phone
- Reading billboards
2. Manual Distractions
Manual distractions are things that take a driver’s hands away from the steering wheel. These distractions can be:
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting your volume or changing music
- Reaching for something underneath a seat or behind you
- Taking off a coat or a jacket
- Applying makeup
- Typing on your mobile device
3. Cognitive Distractions
When your mind is not focused on driving, you are experiencing a cognitive distraction. Your eyes may be on the road, and your hands may be on the steering wheel; however, you are not actually thinking about driving. Cognitive distractions can take the form of:
- Listening to a podcast/music
- Talking with passengers
- Daydreaming
- Focusing on text conversations or scrolling on your phone
Texting-and-driving is not just a type of distracted driving — it is all three! Texting takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off what is up ahead. With more drivers having access to cell phones, the dangers of distracted driving keep increasing.
Car Accident Attorneys in Durham
The number of distracted driving accidents in North Carolina continues to increase. If you have been involved in an accident with a distracted driver, the car accident attorneys at Wallace Pierce Law want to hear from you. Since 2009, our firm has been helping accident victims across North Carolina receive the compensation they deserve.
If you have been involved in a car accident due to distracted driving, we are here to help. Call our firm today at (919) 887-7892 or fill out a form online to quickly get in touch with a member of our team.