Drivers who are distracted by anything can claim innocent lives. An average of nine people die in distracted driving crashes each day in this country. It’s hard to think about that fact because each of those deaths was preventable. There are even more injuries that occur because of distracted drivers.
While most people focus on cellphones as the distraction that likely leads to distracted driving crashes, there are many other distractions that are also a problem. Even short distractions can lead to crashes. A vehicle that’s going 55 miles per hour will take only five seconds to go 100 yards. That’s the length of a regulation football field.
Types of distractions drivers face
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes three types of distractions:
- Manual distraction
- Cognitive distraction
- Visual distraction
Some activities that drivers do involve more than one of these. For example, reaching for something in the floorboard encompasses all three. The driver has to take their hand off the wheel, think about how they can get to the item and look for the object.
It’s best for drivers to always pay attention to the road. Anything else can wait until the vehicle is safely stopped. Motorists who see a vehicle swerving or showing other signs of a distracted driver should stay away from that vehicle if possible. Contacting emergency services is a good idea if you can do so safely.
Motor vehicle crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical care. Seeking compensation after the crash is one option that victims have. New York law sets time limits for filing personal injury claims, so you can’t wait too long to start the process.