We all know the dangers of driving drunk, under the influence of drugs, and so on, but another really problematic driving behavior is driving while distracted. It can be really easy to slip into bad habits since driving is something we do everyday and using devices is something we do everyday, so multitasking doesn’t seem that dangerous. There are already three million injuries and 40,000 fatalities that result from the the 5.5 million car accidents in the United States each year, and distracted driving contributes to that. Here are three of the most common distracting devices.
Cell phones
Since people are always on their phones it doesn’t really seem like a big deal to read a text message or answer a phone call while driving, but even taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds could cause a crash. Try turning the sound and notifications off on your phone and putting it in the glove compartment before driving.
GPS devices
Another device that commonly causes distractions while driving is a GPS device. To help avoid having to use it while driving, make sure you plug in the right destination ahead of time and before you start actually driving. If your GPS does not automatically reroute if you take a wrong turn, make sure that you stop safely before adjusting the device.
Radios and music players
Another common source of driving distractions while driving is the radio and other music players. Again, make sure that you make your playlists and settings are adjusted before you hit the road. If your IPod isn’t playing your favorite Barry Manilow jams just yet, be patient. It will get there eventually.
One of the most common consequences of distracted driving is personal injury. The majority of personal injury lawsuits are a result of traffic matters, so if you have been injured in an accident that was caused by distracted driving, you should call a car accident lawyer to see if you might be due compensation.
Helpful info also found here.
