You are probably aware that distraction plays a significant role in many of the crashes that occur on our roads. You likely long ago stopped using your phone while driving once you learned just how distracting doing so could be.
Many people, unfortunately, think that is where distraction begins and ends. The truth is that many of the everyday things that drivers, perhaps including yourself, do while driving, can also result in a dangerous distraction. Here are some examples.
1. Talking to your passengers
No one is suggesting that car journeys should be carried out in silence, but it is important to realize that talking will take your mind off driving. Because your brain is partly focused on the conversation, it leaves you cognitively distracted.
2. Drinking and eating
Many people eat or drink on the move to save time. Both both require you to take at least one hand from the wheel, which is a physical distraction. The item you lift to your mouth might also temporarily block your vision, or you may need to look where it is before grabbing it. Both are visual distractions, causing you to take your eyes away from the road.
3. Using the in-car electronics
Modern cars contain a lot of technology. While it can be very helpful, allowing you to choose your listening, adjust your comfort or plot your route, it also requires you to interact with it. Such technology can visually, physically and cognitively distract you all at once, reducing your ability to drive safely.
If you have been injured in a crash, consider whether the other driver was doing. If you can show that they were distracted in some way, it could help you get the compensation you need.