Top 5 Driving Distractions

Driving distractions is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States. As new drivers learn driving skills, it is stressed to pay close attention to the road. Driving without being distracted is nearly impossible, but more important than ever to avoid a car accident. Watching the road closely and being fully aware of your surroundings can save your life. In the last 20 years with the increasing convenience of cell phones, text messaging, the internet at your fingertips, etc, the amount of drivers that are distracted has skyrocketed.

Understanding Distracted Driving in Los Angeles

Distracted driving happens to everyone. It is important to understand that distracted driving does not just come from the use of a device, but can be broken up into three main categories

• Visual Distractions. These are distractions that will divert the drivers eyes away from the road and their surroundings.
• Manual Distractions. These are driving distractions that require the use of the drivers hands, like a cell phone, etc.
• Cognitive Distractions. These driving distractions draw the drivers focus away from driving.

All of these types of driving distractions are incredibly dangerous. These distractions will easily put you at a higher risk of injury because of a car accident. Some drivers in other states have the “luxury” of not having many other cars on the road around them, reducing their risk, but that is not the case in Southern California. Los Angeles is one of the busiest cities to drive in. Not only do you need to steer clear of any of the 3 types of distractions listed above, but you need to be completely aware of your surroundings. Read more about tips to driving in Los Angeles here. Any type of distraction will significantly increase your risk of a car accident. Keep reading to learn more about the top 5 driving distractions. Additionally, learn how to create driving habits without common distractions.

Five Most Common Distractions While Driving

Research from various insurance carriers points to several different reasons for distracted driving. All drivers should at least be aware of the five most common causes of distracted driving and what they can do to avoid these distractions.

Cell Phone Use

When smart phones became the norm, distracted numbers significantly increased across the United Sates. Additionally the number of fatal car accidents from distracted driving are increasing at alarming rates. Using a cell phone while driving can be especially dangerous because it encompasses all three categories of driving distractions. Consider using smart features, like talk to text through your vehicle or smart watch, or connecting via bluetooth for hands free calling. If you are looking down at your phone while driving, even only for a few seconds, it’s essentially like driving blind for a few seconds or more. Los Angeles traffic can be intense. Driving patterns can change within seconds and you have to be on high alert at all times.

Driving Distractions within the vehicle

Drivers often get distracted by carrying on conversations and/or having arguments with their passengers while driving. Parents often are trying to drive while also contending to children in the backseat. It is important to let your passengers know that you need to focus on driving, especially when in LA traffic. It in inevitable that having other drivers will distract you at some point, but really trying to avoid the distraction and focus on driving can help avoid a potential car accident

Driving Distractions outside of the vehicle

We have all been there. Driving on the highway and out of the corner of our eye we see a car accident or other incident ahead. As we get closer we turn our head to observe and see what is going on. This is an extremely dangerous distraction, because if you turn your head to observe you miss the opportunity to see that the person in front of you is also slowing down to observe and you could easily rear end them. This is a leading cause of multi car crashes on highways in southern California.

Putting on Makeup

We live in a world where it’s easy to always seem rushed to make it to work or your next appointment. It is very common to see women reaching for the makeup and putting on makeup while driving. Or men using an electric shaver while driving. Try taking the extra five minutes at home to do these things rather than adding driving distractions by attempting self care while driving

Cognitive Distractions

Auto accident reports show that about 62% of drivers report periods of time that they get lost in thought. This means that they are completely detached from the task at hand-driving. There are many reasons why you can have an extended period of cognitive distraction. Anything from lack of sleep, a stressful day at work, or just a long day on the road. While driving it is imperative that drivers are remaining completely focused on their surrounding and their driving.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident Because of Driving Distractions?

There is not a single person in the United States that can say they have never been distracted while driving. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of California car accidents and can lead to serious injuries to both the driver and the other car(s) involved. If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer to discuss your options. Experienced lawyers, like those at B|B Law Group, can make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your damages.

At B|B Law Group, our goal is simple: preserve and protect the legal rights of the people of Southern California. Our award winning team of attorneys are experienced in the fields of personal injury, employment and habitability law, and it is our mission to provide our clients with the best legal representation.