7 Dangerous Physical Distractions When Driving
Different forms of distracted driving exist, and all of them can have severe consequences. While mental distractions involve the mind wandering away from the task at hand, physical distractions are tangible actions that divert attention from the road.
Recognizing the potential risks associated with actions like texting, eating, or grooming can contribute to a safer driving experience for everyone on Florida roads. If you were hurt in a collision due to a driver participating in a physical distraction, connect with a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer. Receiving monetary funds to cover your medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress could be possible.
Understanding the Dangers of Physical Distractions
Distractions can be broadly categorized into mental, visual, and physical. For example, mental distractions involve cognitive activities that take the driver’s focus away from driving, such as daydreaming or engaging in deep conversations. On the other hand, physical distractions involve actions that divert attention by taking the driver’s hands, eyes, or both away from the road.
Examples of physical distractions:
- Texting and device use. Engaging with a digital device while driving involves all three types of distractions – visual, manual, and cognitive. Taking your eyes off the road to read or send a text, using your hands to type, and diverting your thoughts to the message all contribute to a significantly increased risk of accidents.
- Adjusting controls. Whether it’s tuning the radio, adjusting the air conditioning, or changing settings on the navigation system, adjusting controls requires taking your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, posing a potential danger.
- Eating and drinking. Consuming food or drinks while driving demands manual and visual attention, as drivers need to handle the items and may glance away from the road to take a bite or sip. This distraction can impair reaction times in critical situations.
- Grooming. Applying makeup, combing hair, or any other grooming activities while driving can lead to manual and visual distractions. These actions increase the risk of collisions due to reduced attention to the road.
- Reaching for objects. Trying to grab items that have fallen on the floor or are located elsewhere in the car can result in significant distractions. Drivers may stretch, bend, or turn, taking their eyes and hands off the primary task of driving.
- Smoking. Lighting a cigarette, reaching for a pack, or attempting to ash while driving involves manual and visual distractions. Additionally, smoking can lead to cognitive distractions as well, particularly when lighting up or discarding a cigarette.
- Handling pets. While furry friends can be delightful companions, interacting with them is risky while behind the wheel because you need to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road to do so.
Being aware of physical distractions and actively avoiding them is crucial for safe driving.
Talk to an Attorney About Your Recovery Needs
Should you talk to a lawyer after a distracted driving accident? If you are coping with medical fees and lost wages after an auto accident in Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, or Deerfield Beach, connect with the lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez. Call 561-660-9421 to learn more.
