When you think about distracted driving, the first thing that comes to mind is likely to be “texting.” And while this is definitely one of the most common forms of distracted driving, many others that are just as dangerous.
Here are three distractions that could take your attention away from the road, thus increasing the risk of an accident:
- Eating or drinking: Not only does this require you to take at least one hand off the wheel, but you could get so caught up in what you’re doing that you lose track of what’s happening around you. Yes, that coffee tastes good, but wait until you reach your destination to drink it.
- Passengers: There will be times when you have passengers in your vehicle, ranging from your spouse to your friends to your children. It’s okay to converse with them casually, but don’t let this distract you from the task at hand.
- Reaching for an object: Maybe you need to grab your wallet out of the glove box. Or maybe your child lost a toy under the backseat. Reaching for an object means you only have one hand on the wheel. Furthermore, it almost always leads you to take your eyes off the road.
Any distraction, no matter what it may be, is enough to cause an accident. And for that reason, you should make a pact with yourself to always put all your focus on the road and your surroundings.
If a distracted driver causes an accident, you can take steps to hold them responsible and hopefully obtain compensation for your injuries, property damage and other losses.