Distracted driving happens regularly and is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Even if a person takes this or her eyes off the road for just a few seconds, it can result in a serious accident that can leave victims with extensive injuries and massive property damage. One of the reasons people are often distracted while behind the wheel is because they are talking on their cell phones, reading text messages, or using the phone to check their social media accounts. Drivers are encouraged to put their phones on silent while they are in their vehicles to avoid these types of distractions. While cell phones are a common cause of distracted driving, there are many other things that can pull one’s attention away when he or she should be focusing solely on the road.
Children Arguing in the Backseat
Parents know how difficult it is to drive around for lengthy periods with more than one child in the backseat. It is nearly impossible to predict how they are going to act while seated next to one another. When children begin bickering, it can become a huge distraction for the person who is behind the wheel. The driver could make that split decision to turn and look at the back seat to get them to stop fussing and fighting, but that can lead to such a dangerous situation. If the driver is looking toward the back of the vehicle instead of watching the road, a crash could happen. It is not just children arguing in the backseat that can cause someone to feel completely distracted. If passengers are rowdy and making too much noise, it could cause the driver to lose focus on the road.
Changing the Radio Station
Listening to music is something most people do while driving. While some people listen to the radio, others use their phones to play music through the car’s stereo system. If a commercial comes on or if a song comes on that the driver does not want to hear, the natural instinct is to turn it change the station or switch to a different song on the playlist. However, changing the station is something that can wait until you reach a red light or a stop sign. It is not something you should ever attempt to do when you are driving. If you cannot stand to listen to whatever is playing on the radio, you can ask your passenger to switch the station or the song for you to avoid any issues.
Eating a Meal on the Go
It is not uncommon for people to eat breakfast, lunch, and even dinner in their vehicles because they are running late or are simply on the go. Some people do not have time to prepare food at home and will rush to a local fast food restaurant to get their food and beverages. While it may seem like a time-saver to eat while you drive, it is dangerous because both hands are not on the wheel and you could end up distracted.
Even if you drive safely and are driving at a pace that you are comfortable with, you still need to remain alert and you need to be fully aware of your surroundings. If you need to quickly make a turn, switch lanes, or move out of the way of an emergency vehicle, you might not be able to do that so easily when you have a sandwich or some other type of food in your hand. You can still eat in your car if you need to do so, but you should only do it while you are parked in a safe spot or when you are riding as a passenger in a vehicle instead of driving.
Drivers can easily become distracted while they are out on the road. Although cell phones are one of the biggest distractions for drivers, other causes of distracted driving include children or people bickering in the backseat, trying to change the radio station or the song on the playlist, and trying to eat while operating the vehicle at the same time. Because you want to stay safe on the road and avoid getting into an accident, you should do your best to avoid becoming distracted. If you have been in an accident that was caused by a distracted driver, contact Hornsby Watson & Hornsby at 256-670-2085 to get help today.