When people talk about distracted driving, they typically think of drivers making calls or texting while on the move.
While phone use is one of the most common and dangerous forms of driver distraction, it is far from the only one, and distracted driving did not begin with the invention of the cellphone.
Here are some other things that can prevent drivers from giving the road their full attention:
Food and drink
Many people eat and drink behind the wheel and there is a whole industry built around it. The main problem is it requires the use of your hands, which should be on the steering wheel. It can also be a visual distraction, especially as people search their seats or through a bag for the item.
Other people in the vehicle
When you travel with someone else it is natural to talk with them. Yet that requires concentration and the brain can only do so much at once. Certain passengers add particular risks. For example, young children doing all they can to get their parent’s attention, the excited friends of a teenage driver on a night out, or a partner who starts an argument can all be hazards on the road.
In-car gadgets
Most cars have several electronic devices that allow you to do things like plotting your route or searching for music. It is far safer if the front passenger takes charge of these rather than the driver. Yet many drivers prefer to do it themselves or have no one to do it.
If you need help claiming compensation after a distracted driver injures you in a car crash, call Quinn Law Firm at 814-806-2518.
