Addressing the hazards of distracted driving

In the amount of time it takes to read or write a text message, a vehicle can travel several hundred feet in an unknown direction. Unfortunately, this is just one example of an action that can divert a driver’s attention off the road, and when this occurs, the odds a motor vehicle accident might occur may increase substantially. Knowing some of the actions that constitute as a distraction and the hazards of exhibiting such behavior could help drivers in North Carolina better prepare to protect their well-being.

Driver distractions can take on numerous forms, each of which could have a devastating impact on one’s ability to operate a vehicle. Some of the ways distraction could affect one’s capabilities could include:

• Driver responses: Actions that divert one’s attention off the task at hand inherently reduce driver response times, which is an essential component to safe driving.
• Vision as an issue: Looking down to read a text or reach for an object causes drivers to remove their eyes from the road, which can be hazardous even if the action only takes a couple of seconds.
• Diverted attention: Even if an action does not lead to a visual or manual distraction, it may still cause a divide if attention and studies suggest that attempting to multitask while driving can still be dangerous.
• Information processing: Those who wait for a stop in traffic to respond to a text may still be left processing the information even after movement resumes, and as such, their attention might not fully lie on the road ahead.

As studies indicate that distraction is one of the leading causes of collisions, finding ways to address such issues could be essential to promoting driver safety.

Unfortunately, even those who take every possible step to stay safe while driving could be at risk of suffering harm in a motor vehicle accident should nearby drivers fail to maintain focus on the task at hand. Following a similar experience, a person in North Carolina could choose to seek insight on the next steps to take to seek restitution by consulting with an experienced attorney. Such advice could help a person better understand his or her options and how to prepare to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.