It’s very dangerous to text and drive. In most places, it’s prohibited. Cellphones have massively increased the frequency of distracted driving, to the point that they are the first thing most people think of when considering distracted driving issues.
But it is important to remember that cellphones are not the only form of distraction. There are many other things that can take a driver’s attention away from the road, which could also potentially lead to an accident.
Eating and driving
For instance, many drivers will eat a hamburger on the way home from work or drink a cup of coffee on the way into the office in the morning. Both of these activities are dangerous, as they take a driver’s hands off of the controls and sometimes take their eyes off of the road. But many drivers have a cup of coffee every day and never even think about the risk they are creating.
Daydreaming
Some studies have found that daydreaming is one of the most common distractions drivers face. This is very hard to prevent because the driver often doesn’t realize that they are daydreaming until after the fact. It can just happen if they have a short attention span or if they’re driving down a road they are incredibly familiar with.
Making vehicle adjustments
Finally, adjusting the vehicle itself can be a distraction. This could mean tilting the rearview mirror or adjusting the side mirrors. It could mean raising or lowering the wheel or adjusting the driver’s seat. It even refers to changing the radio station or setting up your GPS. These are all things that should be done before driving.
Unfortunately, distracted drivers are common and you could be injured in an accident someone else causes. If you are, take the time to look into your legal options.