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Dangers of Distracted Driving

Lady putting on makeup while driving

Distracted driving is doing anything that requires your attention to be off of the road. Whether eating, texting, or adjusting the radio, your chances of crashing are significantly higher when distracted by another task. Texting and driving is the most common form of distracted driving, but it isn't the only one. Other forms of distracted driving include:

  • Putting on makeup
  • Having deep conversations on a call
  • Adjusting navigation
  • Daydreaming

Law enforcement officers usually group driving distractions into three different categories:

  • Visual,
  • Manual, and
  • Cognitive.

Each one takes your focus off of driving differently.

Visual Distractions

These are the distractions most commonly associated with the definition of distracted driving. They include anything that will require you to take your eyes off the road. This can range from looking at your GPS or navigation to the most classic form of visual distracts, texting and driving. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average text takes a driver's eyes off of the road for the length of a football field when driving at least 55 miles per hour.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions are anything that would cause you to take your hands off the steering wheel. This is most commonly seen when people eat, smoke, or help their child or pet in the backseat while driving. These types of distractions are dangerous because they interfere with the driver's reaction times or cause them to veer off the road.

Cognitive Distractions

This type of distraction is a little different from the other two because it doesn't involve anything physical. Cognitive distractions require the driver's mind to be off of the road, which is done a lot easier than you may believe.

Listening to the radio, taking hands-free calls, or daydreaming can all be considered to be a cognitive distraction. These are particularly dangerous because they allow drivers to have full control over the car and a full view of the road, but make them unaware of their surroundings.

Contact an Attorney

If you or someone you know has been severely injured in a distracted driving-related accident, don't feel alone, we are here to help. Working with a professional will help ensure a full understanding of your rights.

Contact the skilled team at Butwinick Injury Law today to discuss the details of your case by calling (855) 812-3110 or by filling out the online contact form.