Distracted drivers are everywhere you go these days. It’s estimated that distracted driving accidents kill thousands and injure hundreds of thousands of people every year.
While smartphones have taken a lot of the blame in recent years for distracted driving issues, the reality is a lot more complicated. People who would never dream of picking up their phone while they’re behind the wheel may engage in other kinds of distracted driving every day without even realizing it – largely because the behavior is heavily normalized.
Everyday behaviors that are examples of dangerously distracted driving
A distraction is anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off the process of driving. Some of the most common distractions include:
- Eating and drinking: Picking up that Starbucks coffee for your morning commute seems so ordinary, it’s hard to realize the danger. Similarly, eating lunch on the go is another hazard that people usually fail to appreciate.
- Adjusting your radio or playlist: Tuning the radio when they lose the station or hate the song and switching up a playlist takes more attention and coordination than most people realize.
- Personal grooming: Even a quick glance in the rearview mirror to smooth their hair or check the status of their makeup causes a driver to divert their attention and eyes from driving.
- Talking to passengers: Conversations can take over a driver’s concentration, especially when they seem important or get animated.
- In-car technology use: Modern cars are loaded with infotainment systems and all kinds of bells and whistles, but adjusting the seats, the dash, the camera and the GPS can all put a driver at risk of an accident. Texting and driving continues to be a dangerous activity while driving.
- Fishing for objects: Retrieving a lost phone from a bag, or looking for your ID in between the seats can be an automatic sort of activity, but it’s clearly dangerous.
In short, distractions really are just about everywhere, and it takes a lot of diligence for drivers to stay focused. If you end up in a wreck with a distracted driver, you’re far from alone – and seeking legal guidance can help you get the compensation you deserve.