Helpful Articles
Distracted Driving: Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Distracted driving accidents have been rising to epidemic proportions not just in the New England area, but nationwide. Several states, including Rhode Island, have enacted legislation to curb the negative effects of distracted driving. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one out of 10 car accidents is caused by a distracted driver, and that is a scary statistic.
What is Distracted Driving?
In order to avoid distracted driving, it is first important to understand what constitutes distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or your mind off the primary task of driving. All distractions during driving pose a serious danger not only to the driver but also to passengers, other motorists and bystanders.
The Worst Types of Distracted Driving
The consequences of distracted driving can be tragic. Although texting while driving is one of the most commonly discussed dangers, there are a number of other distractions that are just as dangerous.
Here are some additional types of distracted driving:
1. Smoking: Recent studies by insurance companies show that at least 1 percent of drivers involved in crashes cited smoking, lighting up a cigarette and putting ashes in the ashtray as distractions that led to the collision.
2. Moving Objects: Unrestrained items and pets in the vehicle can be extremely dangerous. When things move around, drivers sometimes react by looking or reaching for the object. Pets can become agitated or excited in the car and cause the driver to become distracted.
3. Using other Devices: Just about any activity that can take your eyes off the road, even for a second, can be dangerous. Adjusting rearview mirrors, seats or using a navigation system can also prove to be fatal distractions. About 2 percent of distracted drivers admitted that switching radio stations, adjusting the volume on the stereo, or fiddling with temperature controls led to a fatal error.
4. Eating or Drinking: This is very dangerous because hands are holding food items instead of maintaining control of the vehicle, and a driver may drop or spill something, which increases the risk of a crash.
5. Distracting Passengers: Devastating accidents also occur when a driver turns to talk to a passenger, taking his or her eyes off the road, even if it is for a couple of seconds. Children in the back seat can also prove to be very distracting for drivers.
6. Outside Distractions: Things outside the vehicle can also be distracting. Driving while looking at billboards, post-wreck cleanups, or some other incident that is occurring on the roadway can be extremely dangerous and cause accidents.
7. Grooming: Applying makeup, shaving or brushing your hair while driving are also extremely dangerous activities that can cause a crash. Doing so takes hands off the wheel, eyes off the road and attention on grooming instead of driving.
Cognitive Distractions While Driving
In addition to these types of distractions, many car accidents are caused by what is known as cognitive or mental distractions. This is simply another way to describe the lack of attention on the part of drivers. It basically means that the driver is not keeping his or her mind on the road. While a safe driver pays attention to the road, a cognitively distracted driver is not mentally focused on driving.
Some of the most common forms of cognitive distractions while driving include:
- Being preoccupied with personal, family or work issues.
- Listening to an audiobook, podcast or webinar.
- Using a speech-to-text program to send messages.
- Using voice commands to control the vehicle.
Crucial Facts and Statistics
Here are some of the important facts and statistics every driver should know about distracted driving:
- In 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and 289,310 were injured in car accidents involving distracted drivers.
- As of 2022, 36.44 billion text messages are sent out in the United States per day.
- Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of distracted drivers in fatal car accidents.
- About 9 percent of drivers ages 15-20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted at the time of the crash.
- The average time your eyes are off the road while texting is five seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, that’s sufficient time to cover the length of an entire football field – blindfolded.
- A 2019 survey found that 39 percent of high school students who drove in the past 30 days texted or emailed while driving on at least one of those days.
Tips to Keep You From Getting Distracted
There are a number of steps you can take to stay focused and be a safe driver. Here are a few tips to help you avoid getting distracted while driving:
1. It’s okay to put your phone on silent. A ringing or buzzing phone from calls, text messages and updates will demand your attention. Silencing your phone will still allow you to receive all of your calls and messages. You can check them when you arrive at your destination and maintain your focus on driving.
2. Your cell phone is not the only source of distraction in your vehicle. It also helps if you get organized and ready before you start driving. For example, if you are traveling to an unfamiliar location, set your GPS before you hit the gas. In this manner, you can keep your eyes on the road instead of your GPS.
3. Make use of your passengers. If you must send a text or respond to an email, ask your passengers to do it for you. If you get lost, ask them to reset the GPS or check the map so you can focus on driving.
4. Don’t get into serious discussions or arguments when you are driving. When you do so, you are forced to turn and look at the person with whom you are having a conversation. This is how a number of crashes occur. Save all of these types of conversations for later.
5. Remember, hands-free technology can still distract you. Even though you may have your hands on the wheel, your mind and attention are still off the road. Use these devices only sparingly and when they are absolutely necessary. If it is an emergency, pull over.
6. Use your Smartphone to your advantage. Use an app that can disable texting, send an automated response or hold calls while you are driving.
Who Is Responsible For A Distracted Driving Accident?
After a car accident, a person could be held responsible if they did not exercise care that a reasonably cautious person would have in such circumstances. So, if a driver caused a car accident due to a cognitive distraction, he or she could be held responsible for the injuries, damages and losses that the car accident caused. An experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer would be able to evaluate evidence such as police reports, eyewitness testimony and cell phone records to determine whether an accident was the result of distracted driving. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation.
Speak With A Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured by a distracted driver, contact one of our experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you win your case. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us toll-free at 1-(800) 992-6878 or fill out our Contact Form online.
East Providence Personal Injury Lawyer | d’Oliveira & Associates
2540 Pawtucket
Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914
(401) 431-1990
