Last Updated on November 20, 2022 by Anup Kumar Dey

Distracted driving is any activity that takes the eyes, hands, or mind off the task at hand. Unfortunately, these days it seems as though many drivers think they are skilled multitaskers, able to concentrate on the road while doing something else. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that taking your eyes off the road for as little as a few seconds is enough to cause a catastrophic accident, affecting many innocent people who have the misfortune of being close by when the distraction occurs.

If you or a loved one sustained injury due to a distracted driver, the lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP recommend you contact an accident attorney as soon as possible to help you obtain the compensation to cover your injuries and losses. Read on to learn more about the most common causes of distracted driving.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving

With the advances in technology, the causes of distracted driving seem to have grown, and so have the number of people who are injured for this reason. Some of the most common distractions are:

• Any activity that requires looking at the phone while driving
• Texting and driving
• Applying makeup or doing any type of grooming while driving
• Reading
• Smoking
• Daydreaming
• Unrestrained pets or kids
• Trying to look at the GPS
• Changing radio stations
• Reaching for food or drink
• Rubbernecking
• Searching for something on the floor

These are just some of the main reasons why distracted driving causes so many accidents. However, any action that has the driver not concentrating on the road is considered distracted driving.

What are the consequences of distracted driving?

There are legal penalties associated with distracted driving, but, more than that, you risk injuring yourself, your passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians around you. Statistics show an increase in the number of people who have lost their lives after being injured by a distracted driver.

Victims of distracted driving accidents have the right to pursue compensation from the liable party to cover their medical expenses and other losses. The effects of some of these injuries may be with the victims for a long time, if not forever. A distracted driver may also be sued for the pain and suffering the accident victim has to live with every day.

What groups are more at risk for distracted driving?

Young adults and teenagers are the groups that are at greater risk of being distracted while driving. Young drivers tend to text while driving. They are also more likely to not always wear a seatbelt, to ride with a driver who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs, or are more likely to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

It is recommended that parents of teens or young adults talk to them about the responsibilities and rules involved in driving. Insist that driving requires their full attention and that texts or phone calls can wait until they reach their destination. Nothing is so important as to put their lives and others at risk.

If you are a passenger in a car where the driver is engaging in distracted behavior, speak up. Ask them to stop whatever they are doing and concentrate on the task at hand. By speaking up, you may be saving your life.

Can distracted driving be avoided?

Despite your best intentions to be entirely focused on driving, some distractions are unavoidable. Being aware of them and the danger they represent may help you take action to minimize them. Make sure never to use your cell phone while driving. You can answer a call through your car’s Bluetooth, and any text message can wait until you reach your destination. Simply glancing down at your phone means you have taken your eyes off the road for a few seconds. Even having a phone conversation can be distracting. Inform your caller that you are driving and ask them to call you later.

Regarding eating, drinking, or applying makeup, do all these activities at home or elsewhere, not in your car. No matter how careful you think you are while doing any of these activities, the truth is that people who get distracted while driving get into accidents.