If you’ve gotten into a car accident in Georgia, it may have been caused by distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and pedestrian safety.
Many car accidents are caused by some form of driver distraction. In fact, over 3100 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2019. The three main types of distracted driving are visual distracted driving, manual distracted driving and cognitive distracted driving. Understanding what these terms mean may help you stay safe on the roads.
What are visual distractions?
Visual distractions are the types that occur when you take your eyes off the road. This can happen if you’re doing something like looking at something else inside of the car. This could include something as simple as turning to look at one of your passengers or fiddling with a GPS device. It can also happen if you’re looking at something outside the car like a billboard or a crashed car on the side of the road.
What are manual distractions?
Manual distractions are the ones that occur when you take your hands off the wheel. This can happen if you’re fiddling with the radio or adjusting your seat. It can also happen if you’re holding something, such as a phone or a drink.
What are cognitive distractions?
Cognitive distractions are some of the most difficult ones to notice. These occur when something happens that causes you to take your mind off the task of driving. This can happen if suddenly find yourself daydreaming or just thinking about something else. It can also happen if you’re tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The key denominator is that you’re not even aware that you’re being distracted until it’s too late and an accident happens.
All of these distractions can increase your risk of having an accident. If you must do something that takes your attention away from driving, pull over to a safe area first. And always remember to drive safely and keep your eyes on the road so that you can keep yourself, your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians on the road safe.
