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Distracted drivers are dangers on the roadways

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Accident Injury

Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a way that helps to keep others around them safe. This includes following all applicable traffic laws and making sure that they’re in the proper mental and physical shape to drive. They shouldn’t ever allow distractions to impact their ability to drive safely.

Distracted drivers cause more than 1,000 injuries and around nine deaths per day in this country. Sometimes, they might not realize that their behavior is actually a distraction, but this doesn’t negate the liability they have when their negligence causes a wreck.

There are three different types of distractions that drivers should know about:

  • Visual distractions make you take your eyes off the road. Looking at your phone or reading a billboard can cause this.
  • Cognitive distractions take your mind off the road. Thinking about a problem or the meaning of a text qualify for this type of distraction.
  • Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel. Replying to a text or eating something do this.

One thing that many drivers don’t realize is that seemingly short distractions can be dangerous. It only takes five seconds for a vehicle that’s going 55 miles per hour to move the length of a football field. You can read a text in just under five seconds, which means that you have at least 100 yards of potential accidents if you’re going at least 55.

People who are struck by distracted drivers may suffer serious injuries. They might opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help relieve the financial pressure they experience because of the issue.