We all know that distracted driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors on the highways. In fact, distracted drivers cause hundreds of thousands of injuries, countless dollars in property damage and thousands of yearly fatalities. And teens and young drivers are especially susceptible to distracted driving.
If you want to cut down on the chances of being distracted while behind the wheel, get to know the different types of common distractions, as well as how to avoid them.
Visual Distracted Driving
Anything that distracts your eyes from the road could be considered a visual distraction. For instance, a water bottle that falls to the passenger floor can be a visual distraction as it moves around. So, too, could children who are acting up in the backseat. And devices such as cell phones can always be visually distracting if they are in sight.
The best way to avoid visual distractions is to make sure everyone is buckled in, and nothing is loose in the vehicle. Kids and pets should not be allowed to have access to the driver. If you are particularly susceptible to having your attention diverted, you may want to cover or turn off electronic consoles with a lot of lights, numbers, texts and maps.
Cognitive Distracted Driving
When your mind is on something other than driving, you cannot focus. Almost every driver has had the sensation of reaching a destination without remembering how they got from point A to point B. In other words, their mind was on something other than the road.
Not all cognitive distracted driving comes from preoccupation with unpleasant thoughts, though. Listening to music and podcasts can be extremely distracting mentally.
The easiest way to rid a vehicle of cognitive distractions is to simply turn off and put away all devices so they are not available. It is also helpful to ask others in the vehicle to use headphones if they want to listen to their favorite Spotify stations or watch a YouTube video. While talking is normal and fine, heated discussions and arguments make driving riskier. In the event of a verbal blow-up, find a safe place to pull over before continuing on the road.
Manual Distracted Driving
Manual distraction occurs when you do not fully engage with the wheel. As an example, you might fish around a backpack for something while trying to navigate traffic. Not only is this unlikely to end in success, but it can put you at risk of getting in an accident. Another form of manual distraction is eating or drinking while operating a motor vehicle.
Having everything on hand before setting out on a trip makes avoiding manual distractions much simpler. If you do need to find something, pull into a parking lot and stop the vehicle before rummaging through papers or a purse.
Know the Distracted Driving Facts
Distracted driving contributes to tons of issues for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Drive cautiously and defensively to minimize your chances of getting into a collision related to distracted driving.
You will also want to make sure you have a quality auto insurance policy if the worst should happen. To learn more about what we offer or to request a quote, contact Strock Insurance today.
