It’s very common for people to equate distracted driving with texting and driving. And it’s also true that this is one of the most common types of distraction drivers face, as cellphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
That said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that anything that distracts a driver from operating their vehicle can be problematic. It certainly extends far beyond cellphones, and there are three general categories to consider.
1. Visual distractions
First and foremost, some distractions are visual in nature, such as turning to talk to a passenger, looking at a child in the rearview mirror or looking down to switch the radio station or read a text message. The person is still physically driving their vehicle, but they’re not paying enough attention to where they’re going, which could cause them to run a stop sign, drift over the centerline and the like.
2. Manual distractions
In other cases, the driver is able to keep their eyes on the road, but they take their hands off of the wheel. An example could be a parent who hands a drink to a child in the backseat. Even though they’re looking at where they’re going, they’re still distracted by this activity.
3. Mental distractions
Finally, some distractions just happen in the mind, such as daydreaming. Drivers may not even realize that this is happening. They’re not paying attention, even though anyone who saw them would attest that they were holding the steering wheel and looking at the road. Cognitive distractions can lead to crashes even when the driver appears to be in control.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by any of these distracted drivers, you may need compensation for lost wages, medical bills and more.