5 Causes of Distracted Driving You Can Easily Avoid

If you have ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident, “distracted driving” is a term that will be familiar to you. As one of the leading causes of road traffic accidents, distracted driving results in emotional trauma, personal injury, and loss of life for many motorists and passengers. However, most causes of distracted driving are avoidable. By eliminating distractions, you can help make the roads much safer for both motorists and pedestrians. Here are just five of the common causes of distracted driving which you can easily avoid.

Electronics and Cell Phones

Using electronics or cell phones while driving is a major distraction. Even the sound of notifications coming through can distract you long enough to take your attention off the road at a crucial moment. Put your cell phone away and make sure that electronic devices, such as those being used by others, are not distracting you while you drive. Make a habit of enforcing rules for traveling in your vehicle, so that you don’t get distracted by chastising passengers when you are already on the road.

Lack of Sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of distracted driving. You can’t focus, your reaction times are slower, and you may even nod off behind the wheel. Never attempt to drive any kind of vehicle if you are overly tired. On long journeys, take frequent and adequate rest breaks or change drivers. Although it is important that you reach your destination on time, it is even more important that you get there in one piece.

Other Drivers

While it is important to pay attention to other drivers, becoming distracted by what they are doing could lead to you becoming involved in an accident. If another driver is posing a danger to you or other motorists, slow down and safely attempt to get out of the way of danger. If the situation merits it, contact the police and make them aware of any potential danger to motorists. If you spend too much time watching others, you won’t have time to react to what is happening around you.

Music

Have you ever noticed how some drivers turn down the volume on the radio when they are trying to determine where they are? In those scenarios, the brain automatically recognizes the sound of the radio as a distraction. If you are concentrating on music and not on the road, you will not react quickly enough in potentially dangerous situations. Your focus should always remain on the road and your surroundings. It is ok to listen to music while driving – just make sure that it isn’t your main point of focus.

Your Passengers

It is pretty much a given that your passengers will consist of your friends or family. However, while you would imagine that should make for the perfect road trip, traveling with company is also one of the major causes of distracted driving. Never compromise your focus on safe driving for the sake of not upsetting your passengers. They are trusting you to get them from A to B, so they should extend you the courtesy of not distracting you while you are driving.

Insurance companies will seek to exploit causes of distracted driving in order not to pay out. A personal injury attorney from Edwards & Patterson Law can help you navigate the legal minefield of claiming what you are entitled to due to the carelessness of others. Speak to our expert team if you reside anywhere in Eastern Oklahoma to see how we can prove your car accident was caused by the distracted driving of another motorist.