Distracted Driving Victims
Most of us have very busy lives. We all like to think we are good multitaskers – we have to be if we’re to keep everything on track, right? The truth is, the American Psychological Association tells us that multitasking is a myth. Our brains can toggle between tasks, but they simply aren’t built to do more than one task at the same time. In fact, “mental juggling” actually impairs our ability to function at our best.
It’s especially important to be aware of this when we are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Drivers are a risk to themselves and other drivers, riders, and pedestrians when they begin any non-driving activity that distracts from the primary task of driving, increasing the risk of crashing.
The National Safety Council (NHC) reports that distracted driving is to blame for more than 2,800 deaths and approximately 400,000 injuries on our U.S. highways each year. What makes these numbers so troubling is that most distractions while driving are preventable.
WHAT IS SO DISTRACTING?
Countless distractions can affect drivers on the road, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) breaks them down into three key categories:
1. Visual Distractions
These occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Common examples include:
– Looking at a crash scene or roadside event
– Scanning the scenery instead of the traffic
– Glancing at a phone to read a message
– Searching for an item inside the vehicle
2. Manual Distractions
These happen when a driver removes one or both hands from the wheel. This can be especially dangerous when combined with visual or cognitive distractions.
Examples include:
– Texting or adjusting a GPS
– Eating or drinking while driving
– Changing the radio or reaching for something
– Grooming, such as applying makeup or shaving
3. Cognitive Distractions
These distractions take the driver’s mind off the task of driving. Even if a driver’s eyes are on the road and hands on the wheel, their attention can still drift.
Common cognitive distractions include:
– Talking to passengers
– Daydreaming or being lost in thought
– Participating in a hands-free phone call or conference call