Distracted driving is a key factor in many car accidents in Kentucky. In fact, some studies show that driver distraction plays a role in more than one-quarter of all crashes in the U.S. That means that every day, about 4,000 car accidents might have been avoided if drivers weren’t multi-tasking behind the wheel.
Drivers can be distracted in many different ways, but the three main types of distracted driving are cognitive, visual and manual. Motor vehicle accidents are often caused by a combination of them.
Cognitive distractions
Cognitive driving distractions are any type of distractions that take your mind off the task of driving. If you are talking to passengers, listening to loud music or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, these are all cognitive distractions. Drivers can also be cognitively distracted when they are overly tired, stressed or angry.
Visual distractions
Visual driving distractions are distractions that take your eyes off the road. Checking your cellphone, programming a GPS system and fixing your hair in the mirror are a few examples of visual distractions. It’s important to know that taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds is extremely dangerous, especially when you are traveling at high speeds.
Manual distractions
Manual driving distractions take a driver’s hands off of the wheel. Using a smartphone, eating a snack and adjusting the radio are a few common examples. A good way to avoid manual distractions is to put smartphones away and preprogram the radio and GPS system before starting a drive.
Most drivers are distracted
These days, most drivers have an in-car infotainment and navigation system that could potentially be very distracting. Most drivers also have a smartphone that’s probably not safely stored away during every drive. It’s important to be aware of these realities so that you can be extra vigilant while sharing the road with distracted drivers.