Whether you are driving along a busy highway or a back road, you may notice cars or other vehicles around you with distracted drivers.
Learning about how distractions can cause accidents can help you know what to do if you are in a crash.
Trying to multitask
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a driver who constantly glances down or turns away from the road while concentrating elsewhere can cause a serious crash. Many distracted drivers try to split their attention between the traffic around them and their phone or another person.
This kind of multitasking leads to a lack of awareness of oncoming vehicles, which means they may not stop in time if they pull out in front of you. The larger the vehicle, the harder it is to stop or slow down quickly.
Taking hands off the wheel
Whether a driver is unwrapping a sandwich or attempting to text, trying to drive without both hands on the wheel is a dangerous idea. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a crash and massive brain or spine injuries for people in the cars around the driver.
If the driver is looking at the road while using their hands for some other action, the delay between noticing another vehicle and reaching over to correct how their truck or car moves can cause an accident.
Thinking about other topics
Staying focused on the mechanics of driving a vehicle while on the road is important. A driver who is talking with a friend or daydreaming can slowly drift to the side of the road or sideswipe another vehicle without realizing it. Staying alert and noticing these signs can help you if you see other people distracted while driving.