Distracted driving is essentially anything that causes you to turn your eyes and attention away from the road. Any number of things can be the culprit here, and it’s vital that you know what they are so you can avoid them.
A lot has been made of the increasing incidence of distracted driving on America’s roads. However, despite a significant number of awareness programs designed to highlight just how dangerous these actions are, the number of distracted driving related accidents across the country (and in Florida) continues to rise. What is distracted driving and how do you avoid it?
What It Is
Distracted driving, according to the US federal government, is “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety.” That’s a pretty broad scope, but it’s important that you realize just how wide a range of actions can constitute distractions that divert your attention from what you should be doing – paying attention to the road.
Stats You Should Know
The government offers some sobering statistics regarding distracted driving. These should be eye-openers for every driver on the road. In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents related to distracted driving. In all, more than 400,000 auto accidents were caused by distracted drivers. 18% of all injuries sustained in auto accidents were reported as being related to a collision with a distracted driver.
What Causes Distractions
As mentioned above, a wide range of things can contribute to being distracted behind the wheel. These include:
- Speaking on or dialing your phone
- Eating and drinking while driving
- Texting while driving
- Putting on makeup or grooming while driving
- Using your navigation system
- Reading behind the wheel (including reading maps)
Of course, these are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many other acts that put you, your passengers and every driver you encounter on the road in serious danger. Distracted driving is becoming a very serious problem in the nation, and if you are involved in this type of accident, you will need strong legal representation. For those who have been injured or who have lost a loved one to a distracted driver, a law firm that specializes in representing such cases can provide you with legal recourse and represent your right in a court of law.
