Although we have covered many of the dangers faced by teen drivers and ways that teen drivers can prevent accidents and fatalities, there is an area of this topic which all drivers can gain some insightful information. One major issue that faces drivers of all ages in our technologically-savvy world is distracted driving. There are more nuances to distracted driving than many people believe.
Most people are guilty of distracted driving regardless of their age or experience and unbeknownst to the general population there are three areas of distraction. Visual, manual, and cognitive distractions are all applicable to drivers and many people are unaware the effects these various distractions can have on their driving and their sense of awareness of other vehicles and objects around them.
Visual distractions can be narrowed down to things such as taking your eyes off the road, looking down in a purse or around the interior of your vehicle in search of something, or even sightseeing and looking elsewhere besides the road. Common examples of this are texting and driving, looking at one’s phone, and sometimes even navigational systems can cause visual distractions among drivers. However, it is imperative that drivers are aware of their surroundings in relation to driving and recognize other vehicles and objects that are on the road.
Manual distractions are somewhat easier to decipher as they are the physical distractions that involve taking your hands off the wheel. Texting and driving falls into all three categories of visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. You are holding your phone (manual) to look at it (visual) to read and reply or even address the distraction the phone is causing (cognitive). Eating while driving is also a common manual distraction that many drivers engage in.
In our society, we move in a fast-paced manner and tend to multitask. With fast food restaurants on every corner and much of our time as Americans spent commuting to and from work, errands, and other obligations, it is easy to fall into the trap of driving and eating. Even driving down the road or freeway presently one can most likely witness at least one driver talking on their cell phone, eating, and driving at the same time. The combination of these distractions, although convenient, is perilous to the driver and those around the driver.
Lastly, one type of distraction many people do not acknowledge is the reality of cognitive distractions. Cognitive distractions can be described as anything that takes one’s mental focus away from the task of driving and awareness. Many Americans have busy, stressful daily lives and almost everyone can agree they have at some point day dreamt or become distracted with the racing thoughts of tasks that have yet to be completed or reflected upon the everyday stresses of life. However, being totally consumed in one’s thoughts can play a fatal role in causing motor vehicle accidents and injuries sustained due to distracted, careless driving.
Fortunately, there are solutions to the visual, manual, and cognitive distractions that occur in everyday driving scenarios. One of the foremost helpful tips is to remain mindful during your time driving. Mindfulness can be described as bringing the present moment into focus and conscientiousness; by being mindful of the fact that you are in a motor vehicle and driving and focusing all your energy into that task, one can eliminate the potential cognitive distractions that oftentimes occur.
Another helpful tip is to store your cellular device in the glove compartment or console of your car as to not be tempted into holding the device, looking at the device, or thinking about a text message or game on the device. By storing your device in a car compartment it already eliminates all three distraction possibilities relating to the cell phone.
Lastly, avoiding eating in your vehicle while driving can also be helpful and preventative when it comes to avoiding distractions which can lead to automobile accidents. In general, simply keeping your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and maintaining mindfulness and awareness of your vehicle and surroundings can lead to avoiding distractions which can decrease the probability of a motor vehicle accident which prevents not only injury to you and others, but assists in avoiding property damage and other liability incidents.
To learn more or to find out if a recent car accident you were involved in may enable you to file a lawsuit against a distracted or otherwise negligence driver, contact Daryl T. Dixon, Paducah, KY car accident lawyer, as soon as possible. Daryl T. Dixon has the experience and commitment you need to help your claim succeed and make Kentucky roads safe.
