Car accidents happen all the time. In fact, there are over a million fatal car accidents a year worldwide – that adds up to several thousand accidents a day. That’s enough to make people want to walk or ride a bike everywhere they go.
Speeding and drunk driving may be the most common causes of car accidents, but distracted driving is a growing trend and can lead to serious, if not fatal injuries. To protect yourself from becoming distracted while driving you should understand what causes distractions. Here’s what you should avoid while driving:
#1. Texting and driving
Perhaps the leading cause of most distracted driving accidents, texting and driving has grown exponentially over the last two decades. Texting-and-driving accidents often happen because drivers hear their phone ring from a call or text. This can cause a driver to look away from the road, take one hand off the wheel and reach for their phone – this gives drivers enough time to cause an accident.
#2. Changing the radio
Changing the radio may not seem like much of a distraction, after all, nearly every car has a built-in radio. So how does a radio cause distracted driving? Much like a phone, it requires drivers to look away from the road, and every second matters when staying focused.
#3. Eating and drinking
One of the main benefits of fast-food restaurants is that drivers can get a meal and be back on the road within minutes. The problem, however, is that eating and drinking while driving can be just as much of a distraction as a phone or radio would be.
For starters, you’d likely have to unwrap your meal to get to it, which may take two hands, both of which you need for driving. Then, if you spill food or a drink, the mess can cause you to look away from the road. And, if you do manage to eat while driving, the grease from your hands could make it harder to grip the wheel.
If you were in an accident recently because of a distracted driver, then you may need to know your legal rights when seeking compensation for your injuries.