Avoiding these five distractions while driving will decrease your chances of being involved in a car accident.
It is vital that drivers concentrate on the road and the traffic around them. If your sight gets diverted to some other direction an accident might result. It has been proven that distraction while driving an automobile is a major cause of road accidents. Apart from using a cell phone while driving, there are various other secondary tasks which cause distraction and result in impaired driving performance. The following are five of the most dangerous distractions that cause car accidents in St. Louis and around the country.
Using Handheld Electronic Devices
The ongoing driving safety campaign has ensured that people are aware of the hazards of using a cell phone while driving. Talking on a cell phone or texting while driving impairs the driver’s capability to assess traffic situations and respond accordingly. Studies have shown that drivers who text while being behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to cause an accident and talking on a cell phone while driving has been compared to driving under influence of 0.08% alcohol. Hence, it is in everyone’s interest that a cell phone is never used while driving and if some calls are required to be answered, a co-passenger should be asked to do so.
Trying To Reach For Objects Inside The Car
Reaching out, while driving, to pick up a cell phone, or a cup of coffee, or something that has fallen on the floorboard, is considered a common form of driver distraction; however, most drivers do not agree with this. They consider it is alright to reach out for stuff or hand over stuff to co-passengers while driving. It should be known that being attentive is vital, especially when you are driving at high speeds and in high traffic congestion.
Watching Something Outside The Car, But Not The Road Ahead
Drivers generally have a tendency to look at auto accidents, advertisement billboards, or even the scenery, while driving. It causes a distraction as the driver’s attention fails to be on the road and the traffic ahead, and this can lead to an accident. Drivers should always resist looking at objects outside the vehicle which are not related to driving.
Reading While Driving
Whether you are reading a text message, a map, or a newspaper, your concentration gets diverted away from driving and this can be quite catastrophic. While trying to read a map or a newspaper, your hands may be off the wheel for a while and this distraction may result in an accident. It is always advisable that if you need to read something while on the road, you should pull over to a safe area.
Applying Makeup
A study conducted by Virginia Tech Transport Institute has brought out that applying makeup or even a touch up increases your risk of crashing a car by three fold..
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Educating drivers on the importance of avoiding distractions is vital. If you have been involved in an accident with a driver who was distracted, contact our law firm immediately to discuss your case for free and learn about your legal rights.
