Drivers must ensure they’re paying close attention to what’s going on around them, or they risk missing out on something they need to do. This could be hitting the brakes because the car in front of them stopped, changing lanes because of an obstacle on the road or any of the other countless situations that can occur while driving.
A driver who isn’t giving their full attention to driving is distracted, and there’s never a good time for this to happen. One issue that creeps up sometimes is that drivers may believe that they’re experienced enough to multitask while driving, but that’s not the case.
What counts as a distraction?
A distraction is anything that makes the driver think about something other than driving, take their hand off the steering wheel or stop looking at the road. All three of those types of distractions are recognized by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as problematic for drivers.
Some drivers don’t realize that things they often do are actually distractions. Eating while driving, handing something to a child or even looking at a billboard are classified as activities that can distract a driver.
Another misconception is that short distractions don’t matter. The truth is that even if a distraction lasts only five seconds, it can have catastrophic consequences. In that short time, a vehicle moves 100 yards if it’s traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour.
A driver who’s distracted can cause a crash that significantly injures innocent people. Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help them cover the costs of the injuries. Seeking assistance from someone familiar with similar cases may be beneficial for them.