Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous actions on the road. People who should be focusing on their road turn their attention to phones, passengers, the radio, and more. Unfortunately, it happens far more often than it should, and people suffer some of the worst injuries as a result of crashes.
There are three different types of distracted driving, all of which present similar dangers. As a driver, you should recognize the three types of distracted driving and how to stay safe on the road.
The three types of distracted driving are:
- Cognitive distractions
- Manual distractions
- Visual distractions
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Cognitive Distractions
As you drive, you should focus on the task at hand. You must pay attention to the road ahead of you and vehicles around you. Your cognitive abilities are crucial to ensure your safety on the road, but not everyone feels this way. Some people focus on other activities or conversations when driving, leading to a cognitive distraction.
A cognitive distraction is anything that causes you to lose your focus on driving. For instance, the following are cognitive distractions:
- Having a deep conversation with another passenger
- Singing along to loud music on the radio
- Highway hypnosis when you daydream while driving
- High levels of stress or fatigue
Any of the above can cause drivers to swerve or speed, causing a significant collision.
Manual Distractions
A manual distraction typically causes the driver to remove one or both of their hands from the steering wheel. The most common manual distraction is cell phone use. Drivers grab at their cell phones whenever they receive a notification. While many drivers feel comfortable using only one hand, it’s significantly dangerous.
Using only one hand to drive can make it challenging to maintain vehicle control or turn out of a dangerous situation. It’s crucial to keep both hands on the wheel while driving.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are some of the most common because it’s easy to divert someone’s view from the road. Not only do people look at their cell phones while driving, but they also look at passengers, other vehicles, signs and billboards, and crashes or vehicles on the side of the road. Looking away from the road for just a few seconds can be dangerous.
Rubbernecking is one of the more dangerous visual distractions. For instance, if two vehicles crash and they’re on the side of the road, they pose a potential distraction. Drivers may turn and stare at the situation, potentially rear-ending someone else because they are not looking in front of them.
Staying Safe
You can recognize common signs of distracted driving. With cell phone use combining all three forms of distracted driving, it’s easy for the driver to show signs of negligence, including the following:
- Swerving from one lane to another
- Speeding up and slowing down randomly
- Erratic braking without another threat or vehicle nearby
When someone who is distracted causes a severe crash, they should be held accountable. Many distracted driving accidents result in damages that exceed Florida’s severe injury threshold. You can safeguard your rights by having our team on your side every step of the way.
At Zimmerman & Frachtman, P.A., we care about providing the highest level of service to help our clients during the difficult process. When a driver is negligent, they put all others on the road at risk. Our Florida car accident attorneys help you hold reckless drivers accountable and seek the maximum compensation available to you. Let us stand in your corner and give you a voice against negligence.