Unintended distractions can negatively affect drivers

Drivers typically know that they can’t let distractions overtake them while they’re behind the wheel. Distractions can come in various forms, but they encompass anything that causes the driver to do other things than drive.

Some drivers think that they’re able to multitask when they’re driving, partially because they’ve been driving so long. The issue with this is that it only takes a few seconds of not paying attention for a driver to cause a major crash.

Multitasking can be deadly

There are some actions that drivers may not consider a distraction while they’re driving. These unintended distractions are just as dangerous as ever other. For example, if a driver reaches to the back seat to give a child a snack, they’re dealing with three forms of distractions.

• Manual distraction occurs because the driver has to take their hand off the wheel to give the child the snack.
• Cognitive distraction occurs because the driver has to think about making sure that the child gets the snack.
• Visual distraction occurs because the driver has to take their eyes off the road to see that they’re giving the child the snack and because the head naturally turns some when a person reaches to the back of the vehicle.

Any drivers who are dealing with distractions can’t react properly to hazards as they drive. Victims of crashes caused by a distracted driver will likely need urgent medical care, but they shouldn’t be the one who covers those costs. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help hold the liable driver responsible for those costs.