Using a phone in the car is incredibly dangerous. It’s one of the most common driving distractions that people face. Exactly how this distraction manifests depends on what they’re doing, but it can include things like taking pictures or videos, sending text messages, reading comments on social media or using entertainment apps.
Some drivers will do this only when they are at a stop sign or a stoplight. To them, this is a safe compromise. They don’t want to stop using the phone entirely while they’re in the car, but they feel like it’s safe to do it when the car isn’t in motion. They can then set it down when the light turns green, or traffic begins to move, and they assume that the distraction is over. But is this true?
It still lasts for 27 seconds
Interestingly, studies have found that distraction doesn’t actually end when the phone is turned off or set down. The person using that phone will still be distracted, on average, for the next 27 seconds.
This is why someone who drops their phone into the passenger seat when the light turns green can still make a serious error as they drive into that intersection. They may still be thinking about whatever action they were performing on the phone, and it takes their brain about half a minute to readjust to the fact that they’re driving the car. In the course of a long trip with many stops, this could mean that the driver spends minutes being severely distracted when they don’t even realize what’s happening.
Have you suffered serious injuries?
Every time you drive, you have to be aware of the fact that there can be distracted drivers around you. If one of them hits you and causes severe injuries, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation.