According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 3,000 people die in distracted driving accidents every year, accounting for eight to nine percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities. It is important to know common driver distractions in order to help avoid an accident.
Below are some common distractions that compete for a driver’s attention and put you and your loved ones at risk.
Smartphones
Cell phone use is one of the most common distractions. Many drivers look down at their phones instead of focusing on the road. In the five seconds it takes a driver to read a text, their car can travel the length of a football field. During that time, a car accident can easily happen. If they answer the text, they take one or both hands off the steering wheel.
Eating and Drinking
Fast food may be convenient for drivers to eat on the go, but it distracts attention from the road. Eating and keeping both hands on the steering wheel is impossible. At the same time, drivers are also focused on not making a mess while eating.
According to the NHTSA, eating behind the wheel increases the car accident risk by 80 percent. Even if drivers do not hit another car, they may swerve or leave their lane, causing accidents for other drivers.
Music
Your music can be a distraction in several ways. The obvious way that music distracts you is when you play it too loud. The sound can keep you from focusing on the road.
Technology in cars makes listening to music even more dangerous now. Changing your music is not as simple as pushing a button to select a different station. Now, you may use your cell phone to switch your music and press the button on your car’s console. Either way, your eyes are focused elsewhere while selecting new music.
Tending to Children in the Car
Parents have difficulty focusing when their children are making noise in the car’s back seat. Screaming or crying children can take a parent’s focus from the road. Then, the parent may turn around to address the child or try to appease them. They may try to reach back and hand the child something.
Focusing on something behind the driver instead of what is on the road in front of them can cause a severe accident. Drivers may lose their temper or composure, preventing them from making sound decisions. They may try to take their frustrations out while driving.
No matter the cause, a distracted driving accident can lead to severe injuries.
Our Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams Help Clients Injured in Distracted Driving Accidents
Any driver distraction can be dangerous. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, speak with our Monmouth County car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams. We help clients in every phase of their car accident case as they seek financial compensation. Call us today at 732-351-2800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. With offices conveniently located in Tinton Falls and New Brunswick, New Jersey we serve clients in Monmouth and Middlesex County and throughout the state.
