Driving distractions lead to serious car accidents every day. Perhaps the most well-known distraction is simply texting and driving. This grew in prominence due to the development of the smartphone and texting culture in general, and lawmakers have now taken steps to prohibit using handheld devices in the car.
However, it is important to know that it is not just texting that can lead to distraction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stress that a driving distraction is “anything that takes your attention away from driving.” Texting and driving certainly fits, but so do many other common activities.
Eating and drinking
For instance, some people will get coffee on their morning commute into the office, or they will get food during their commute home at the end of the day. But eating and drinking behind the wheel is distracting, forcing the driver to pick up various items and take their hands off of the steering wheel.
Talking to children or passengers
Having other people in the car can be a significant driving distraction. A driver may be tempted to turn their head to talk to a passenger, or a parent may be pestered by a child who wants toys, snacks and drinks for the trip.
Using the infotainment system
Finally, many modern vehicles have large touchscreens that are used to run various systems, such as a GPS, the car stereo and much more. Any time that people spend using this technology is time that they are looking away from the road and focusing on a task other than driving the vehicle.
This helps to show how driving distractions are a lot more common than many people realize. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.