Call Today 541-241-6991

You Deserve
An Advocate.

You Deserve
An Advocate.

Photo of Hawn, Wayne D. And Walsh, Joseph S.

What is distracted driving?

On Behalf of | May 29, 2024 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

People who are driving need to ensure they give their full attention to driving. They must avoid distractions so they can remain safe while they’re on the road. While many adults believe they can multitask, that’s not at all the case. 

Distracted driving is a contributing factor in nine fatalities each day in this country. The issue is that these deaths were preventable if the driver had simply avoided distractions while they were driving. 

Types of distractions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention names three specific types of distractions. Some activities may involve only one of these, but many involve multiple types. 

A manual distraction is something that makes the driver take their hands off the wheel. A cognitive distraction takes their attention away from driving. A visual distraction takes their eyes off the road. 

Even short distractions are a problem

Cellphone usage is a common distraction, and it involves all three types of distractions. It takes the average person five seconds to read or reply to a text. In that short time frame, the driver could go the full length of a football field if they’re traveling 55 miles per hour. The car is essentially uncontrolled during that time. 

Some activities that drivers don’t think much about are also distractions. Looking at billboards, getting into a deep conversation with someone, reaching for something for a child in the vehicle and grabbing a sip of something to drink are all distractions. 

Victims who survive distracted driving crashes may need considerable medical care, which can be costly. Those victims may choose to seek compensation from the distracted driver. Having someone to help them with this process is beneficial since these cases can be complex.