Cell phones are not the only cause of distraction for drivers

person holding an iPhoneMany individuals in Illinois are under the impression that using a hand-held device, such as a cell phone, is the only way a driver can become legally distracted. While texting and surfing the internet on a smart phone are two of the most dangerous activities in which drivers can engage, other distractive behaviors can cause deadly car accidents just as easily.

A Cody, Wyoming man recently swerved into oncoming traffic while driving on a local highway, striking and killing a Denver motorcyclist in a head-on collision. The Denver Channel reports that the motorist lost control of his truck after he dropped a water bottle and momentarily took his eyes off the road to look for it on the floor of his truck. The driver was cited for careless driving. While the accident did not take place in Illinois, the story is similar to those heard constantly throughout the state and the nation.

What is distracted driving?

According to Distraction.gov, distracted driving is any activity that takes a person’s attention off of their driving. All distracted driving, no matter what the distraction is, endangers the driver, passengers and any pedestrians or bystanders that may be present. Distracting activities include the following:

  • Eating and drinking
  • Grooming
  • Reading
  • Adjusting radios or navigation systems
  • Talking with passengers
  • Reaching for objects inside the car

Focusing on objects or events outside of the vehicle, such as another car accident, is a well-recognized cause of distracted driving. Even though most of these activities are perfectly legal, they can become a dangerous distraction and drivers should avoid them as rigidly as they avoid the use of hand-held devices.

Distraction causes accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently partnered with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to create and implement a study on driving distractions. Results indicated that 80 percent of accidents and 65 percent of near-crashes resulted from some kind of driver distraction that occurred within the three seconds prior to the crash. Reading, fixating on external objects, and applying makeup were some of the principal actions that led to accidents within the study.

Stay focused

 With so many activities causing distracted driving, motorists can keep themselves from driving while distracted by remembering to stay focused, pay attention to the road and the drivers around them, and to always expect the unexpected, as driving conditions can change in a moment. Drivers who choose not to follow these simple rules can cause themselves and others devastating injuries or death. Those who have been injured by driver negligence in Chicago should contact a personal injury attorney to assist with their claim to ensure that they have the best chance at receiving the compensation they need.