There is plenty in the media about the dangers of distracted driving and how often this behavior leads to serious car accidents. However, at Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we find that many people do not realize exactly what this type of behavior includes. Keep reading to learn five of the top causes of distracted driving. If you are in need of a free legal consultation, contact us at 909-982-0707 right away.
- Texting While Driving Texting while driving is often used as the only example of distracted driving so it does not likely come as a surprise to you that it is on this list. As texts become the preferred method of communication for people throughout the country, they become normalized in a way that often leads to people texting even when it is not safe. An interesting fact is that most people who admit to texting while driving also believe that it is dangerous to do so – but they often believe that they are not dangerous when doing so. They believe that they are just taking their eyes off the road for a second or two. However, studies have shown that the average person looks at a text while driving for at last five seconds – which is long enough to cause a catastrophic accident.
- Talking on the Phone Yes, most new cars include Bluetooth capabilities that allow for hands-free talking. Surely this is safe? The sad truth is that it is not. Some studies have shown that it is almost as dangerous as using your hands to talk on the phone. Why? Because you are still mentally distracted and not focusing on the road in front of you.
- Multi-Tasking This can mean just about anything that takes your eyes off the road. Whether you are putting on makeup, eating dinner, or reaching in the backseat to grab something, if you are not focused entirely on the road in front of you then you are putting yourself and others at risk.
- Loud Music Many people turn their music up when they are drowsy because they believe it makes them more alert. It does not. In fact, it can make you miss auditory signals that there is something wrong, such as sirens from emergency personnel or sounds of your vehicle’s engine.
- Negative Emotional States Unfortunately, it is all too common for a person to be mad, frustrated, or otherwise upset and decide to take a drive to get over it. This is bad news for everyone on the road. If you are mad, sad, or otherwise severely upset, you can count on your full attention not being on the road in front of you.
If you have been injured due to another driver acting negligently then we encourage your call to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We are ready to talk through the process with you.
