American Indian Owned Law Firm

3 different types of distracted driving 

On Behalf of | Apr 20, 2023 | Personal Injury

Distracted driving can take many different forms. It is most commonly associated with texting and driving, but that is far from the only issue that drivers face.

To help shed some light on how problematic this is, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified three specific areas of distraction. All of these can lead to an accident on their own, and they are especially dangerous when numerous types of distractions happen at the same time.

Visual distractions

Visual distractions mean that a driver is not looking at the road ahead of the car. An example of this could be something as simple as looking down at the screen on the GPS unit while driving.

Manual distractions

Manual distractions mean that the driver has let go of the steering wheel with one or both hands. A common manual distraction for parents is when a child drops something and asks them to reach back and pick it up. Holding a cellphone is also a very common manual distraction. 

Cognitive distractions

Your brain can also be significantly distracted from the task of driving, even when you are technically still looking at the road and holding the steering wheel. People often face cognitive distractions while listening to audiobooks, listening to music or even just talking with passengers in the car.

Texting and driving can lead to all three of these distractions at the same time, which is part of why it’s so dangerous. Those who have been injured by distracted drivers must know about all the legal options they have to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.