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4 Types of Distracted Driving that May Endanger Your Life

Law Office Of James P. Leahy May 6, 2020

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving kills nine individuals every single day. Another 1,000 individuals per day sustain some type of injury in an incident involving a distracted motorist. As such, whether you drive for work or personal reasons, you may eventually find yourself in the middle of a crash with a distracted driver.  

To boost your odds of staying safe on the road, commit to rejecting common driving distractions. Realize that distracted driving may involve more than reaching for your smartphone. Here are four types of distracted driving that may endanger your life: 

1. Manual Distractions 

When you drive, you must keep your hands on the wheel. If you hold an item, such as a smartphone, coffee cup or cheeseburger, you may not be able to make turns, dodge road debris or otherwise control your vehicle. To avoid manual distractions, keep your hands free until you reach your destination.

2. Visual Distractions 

There is a lot to see on your daily commute. If you are paying more attention to the passing scenery than you are to the road in front of you, however, you may have an accident. The same is true for visual stimuli inside your vehicle, such as a book, newspaper or text message.

3. Auditory Distractions 

While there is nothing inherently wrong with listening to music while you drive, some sounds may divert your attention from the road. Accordingly, keep your driving soundtrack at a reasonable volume. Remember, you should be able to hear the sirens of approaching emergency vehicles.

4. Mental Distractions 

If you have too much on your mind, you may not be able to focus effectively on driving. Therefore, try to clear your head before climbing behind the wheel. If you must have an in-depth conversation or otherwise use brainpower, consider waiting until you are in a safe place. 

When you drive or ride in a vehicle, you always want to reach your destination safely. Unfortunately, though, distracted driving may put your life in danger. As such, commit to maintaining focus every time you drive.