How to Avoid Distracted Driving Practices
In a previous blog post, we discussed the dangers of tailgating in causing injury vehicle collisions in the San Fernando Valley. The other causes of accidents usually involve some sort of distraction that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. The three types of distractions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions. These concepts can be combined to create even worse distractions as well.
- Visual distractions are any distractions that take your eyes off of the road. For example, looking at a billboard or pointing out your favorite restaurant to a passenger, can both be considered visual distractions.
- Manual distractions are those distractions that take your hands off of the wheel, for example, eating or drinking.
- Cognitive distractions are those that take your mind off of the road, for example thinking about a fight you had with your significant other.
An example of these concepts coming together would be inputting information into your navigational system while driving. You’re visually distracted by looking at what you are typing, manually distracted by actually typing, and cognitively distracted by thinking about the destination you are typing in. These are all distractions and they are all types of things we should try to avoid to prevent Northridge car accidents.
The most important detail to keep in mind in preventing distractions is to focus on driving, which is the task at hand. Most of us consider driving to be an easy task, when in reality we are controlling vehicles usually weighing over a thousand pounds at speeds up to 70 miles an hour and more. Overconfidence is no excuse for causing an accident. It is essential to simply focus on driving and nothing else.
Remember that it only takes a second to get into an accident and that second can have repercussions affecting the rest of your life. Keep these tips in mind every time you drive to help prevent accidents all together. If you happen to be involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver’s negligence, you may want to get in touch with an experienced San Fernando Valley car crash lawyer at The Mandell Law Firm. Call 818-886-6600 today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help protect your rights.
