Very often, it’s the small distractions that occur when driving that end up causing the biggest accidents. These cases are so prevalent today that there are actual laws that are passed against those who cause accidents due to distracted driving.
For example, people can now sue for damages caused by distracted driving and recover a $910,000 settlement, using the help of skilled attorneys. In this article, we’ll go over the main causes of distracted driving, so you can avoid ever doing them in the future. Let’s get right into it.
1. Using Mobile Phones
It goes without saying that this is the number one cause most people are guilty of, simply because our lifestyles are so deeply interconnected with our mobiles that it’s almost impossible to not use them, even when we drive. However, using mobiles are also the number one cause for most distracted driving accidents and they can even injure you and those around you fatally. This includes talking and texting while driving.
Some people find it unavoidable and have to answer calls while driving, but this can be done through bluetooth speakers which are comparatively safer than holding a phone with one hand and driving with the other. While talking can be done via a speaker, texting is an absolute no-no simply because there’s no way you can send a text without taking your eyes off the road while driving, which is incredibly unsafe and dangerous.
2. Loud Music
Listening to music while driving is definitely one of the best things about the experience and can make driving feel a lot more calming and relaxing. However, some people tend to listen to music on high volume which can affect the way you drive and also make you less aware of what’s going on around you. For example, other drivers honking or calling out to you for various reasons can be impossible to hear when you’ve got loud music playing in the car with the windows all rolled up.
Apart from this, music that’s very hyped up and fast can also affect the way you feel and drive, as opposed to slow and calming music. It must be noted that most people who listen to fast and loud music have a tendency to drive recklessly and go over the speed limit than those who do not, so this is something to bear in mind while choosing your playlist. While listening to music while driving is definitely not a crime, some types of listening habits can be a cause for distracted driving.
3. Multi-Tasking
Last but not least, we have the multi-taskers. While being efficient and saving time is definitely a good practice, doing multiple things while you’re driving is definitely not something to be proud of. This includes texting, talking, eating, writing, making lists, and anything else that you find yourself doing while you’re at the wheel.
This is because your mind automatically tends to wander when you’re doing something else along with the task at hand, which can make it hard for you to be self-aware and keep a note of what’s going on in front of you. Even if you don’t cause an accident yourself, you may miss out on escaping an accident caused by someone else because you were too busy scribbling out your to-do list on a scrap of paper. To avoid such instances where you either cause an accident or fail to avoid being a victim of another accident, it’s best that you always have your eyes and mind on the road as long as you’re behind the wheel. All the other things can always wait!
