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What should you know about distracted driving?

On Behalf of | Jan 22, 2025 | Car And Truck Accidents

Drivers have to ensure they can give their full attention to their driving duties anytime they’re behind the wheel. There are serious consequences that can occur if a driver is distracted by anything.

It doesn’t take long for a distraction to be hazardous. The average text message takes approximately five seconds to read. In that short time, the vehicle will go the full length of a football field if the driver is going 55 miles per hour. 

What kinds of distractions must drivers avoid?

There are three categories of distractions that drivers shouldn’t succumb to. 

  • Cognitive distractions take their mind off driving duties.
  • Visual distractions take their eyes off the road and what’s going on around them.
  • Manual distractions take their hands off the steering wheel.

Certain actions can encompass more than one of these categories. For example, texting requires the person to hold the phone, which is a manual distraction. It requires them to look at the phone, which is a visual distraction. It requires them to think about what the message means and what reply they’ll give, which is a cognitive distraction. 

Victims of distracted driving crashes should ensure they get immediate medical attention. That care can be costly, particularly if the injuries are catastrophic. They may also opt to pursue a claim for compensation, but these cases can often be complex to handle. It may help them to work with someone who’s familiar with these cases so they can focus on healing from the injuries that they suffered.