Even though it may not feel like it at times, driving is an intense activity that requires a lot of focus. Drivers have to constantly assess road conditions, the weather, speed, following distances and hazards. There is no room for distractions.
Nonetheless, distractions do occur and they are thought to cause thousands of road fatalities every year. What are some of the most common forms of driving distractions?
Physical distractions
Physical distractions involve anything that takes a driver’s hands away from the wheel. One of the most common forms of physical distractions is cell phones. When a driver is sending a text or holding a phone to their ear, then their hands are not where they should be.
Other forms of physical distractions include:
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the radio
- Adjusting SatNav
- Smoking
- Using any type of electrical advice while driving.
While physical distractions are worth noting, distractions come in other forms.
Cognitive distractions
Cognitive distractions involve anything that takes a driver’s mind away from the road. For example, a driver may be focused on an important meeting coming up at work. Or, the driver may still be feeling angry after arguing with their partner before setting off. Cognitive distractions have the potential to be just as dangerous as physical distractions.
Visual distractions
While being in the right frame of mind and keeping both hands on the wheel is important, so too is a driver’s perception of what’s around them. Distractions can be visual. For example, a brightly lit billboard could take a driver’s eyes off the road. Even something like admiring the city or landscape can be a dangerous driving distraction.
While you can limit your distractions, you can’t control other people. If a distracted driver crashed into you and you were consequently injured, personal injury compensation could be an option.