What Are the Major Causes of Distracted Driving Crashes?

Distracted driving is extremely dangerous, and many people associate it with texting while driving, or talking on a handheld phone while driving. While distracted driving rates do appear to have risen with the widespread use of smartphones, it is critical to remember that distracted driving is a problem that is much bigger than the increased ability to talk or to text while driving. Indeed, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarifies, there are multiple forms of distracted driving, and each of them alone can be deadly. In some circumstances, drivers experience multiple distractions, which can be particularly hazardous to themselves and to other motorists on the road.

The CDC explains that distracted driving can be visual (when a driver takes their eyes off the road), manual (when a driver takes their hands away from the wheel), and cognitive (when the driver is not focused on driving). Within those categories, which forms of distracted driving tend to occur most often? And what types of distractions may be less common yet just as dangerous? Our distracted driving attorneys in Shreveport can discuss these questions with you.

Common Forms of Distracted Driving 

Some forms of distraction tend to occur more often behind the wheel than others. According to data from the CDC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the following are very common types of distractions that can result in collisions, or be one of several causal factors in a crash:

• Texting or talking on a smartphone;
• Chatting with other vehicle occupants, especially for teenage drivers;
• Eating in the car;
• Changing the music;
• Moving children or pets inside the car;
• Reaching for an object in the passenger seat or back seat; and
• Using a navigation device, including built-in navigation systems in the vehicle.

Additional Types of Distractions Behind the Wheel

 Some types of distractions behind the wheel that result in crashes may be more surprising. According to an article from Geico, the following are also types of distractions even if they might not be as obvious or prevalent in some circumstances:

• Driving while experience strong emotions such as anger or sadness;
• Getting lost in a song playing, especially when the music is very loud and the driver is singing along;
• Using hands-free technology that is supposed to be “safe” for use in the car; and
• Needing to use the restroom badly, which a study from Yale University suggested can be impairing.

Contact a Shreveport Distracted Driving Attorney Today 

Distracted driving has a range of causes, and some occur more commonly than others. Regardless of whether a particular form of distracted driving occurs with frequency or not, the motorist can be held accountable if they are distracted and cause a crash. If you have questions about filing a claim and seeking compensation after an injury, or if you need general assistance with your distracted driving case, one of the experienced Shreveport distracted driving injury lawyers at Rice & Kendig, LLC can help. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm to discuss your case.

Sources:

cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html#:~:text=Sending%20a%20text%20message%2C%20talking,and%20others%20on%20the%20road

living.geico.com/driving/auto/car-safety-insurance/8-surprising-causes-of-distracted-driving/

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

news.yale.edu/2011/09/30/when-you-really-really-have-go-study-wins-ig-nobel-prize