Driving a vehicle requires focus and skill. Nobody who’s operating a vehicle should try to do other things when they’re driving. The brain can only handle one primary task at a time, so that should be the only thing they try to do until they reach their destination.
Some drivers might mistakenly think that they can multitask because they’ve been driving so long, but this isn’t the case. Even experienced drivers can cause crashes if they aren’t paying attention.
It doesn’t take a long distraction for a driver to cause a wreck. Even being distracted for five seconds can lead to a crash. In that amount of time, a vehicle can travel the full length of a football field if it’s moving at 55 miles per hour. That five-second period is the average amount of time it takes for a person to read or respond to a text message.
Drivers face three primary forms of distractions. These include:
- Manual ones, like taking their hands off the steering wheel
- Visual ones, including taking their eyes off the road
- Cognitive distractions, which involve taking the mind off driving
Distracted drivers are responsible for an average of nine deaths each day in this country. They also cause more than 1,000 injuries daily. There isn’t ever a good excuse for a driver to try to drive while distracted. The victims of these crashes may have significant injuries if they survive. The medical care costs and other related financial impacts of the crash can be serious. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation to cover the damages.