Driver distraction is one of the top reasons that car accidents occur in the United States. People simply commit errors because they’re not paying enough attention to the road. That attention has been pulled elsewhere, perhaps by some outside source, and so a driver overlooks makes critical mistakes.
Over the last decade or so, the scope of this problem has become very clear. Drivers understand that distraction causes accidents, and there are even laws in place to help reduce the amount of distraction that they face. And yet, distracted driving continues to be very common. Why is this?
There are many different types of distraction
First and foremost, it’s important to note that distraction is common because it comes from so many different sources. This makes it almost impossible for drivers to avoid when they get in the car. For example, someone could be distracted by a passenger who is riding in the vehicle with them. They could also be distracted simply by looking at their GPS and trying to figure out where to make the next turn. Parents are often distracted by their children. Most people listen to music in the car, at least some of the time, and that can also be a major distraction. Even outside factors like billboards can pull someone’s attention away from the road.
Electronic device addiction
Next, the role of electronic devices like smartphones can’t be ignored. These are often responsible for driver distraction, and part of the reason for this is phone addiction. Drivers know that they shouldn’t look at their phone, but they do it because they’re essentially addicted, which can lead to significant problems. Drivers may find that they’re using their phone more and more often, always turning to the phone when becoming bored, thinking they feel the phone vibrating when it isn’t, etc. These are signs of potentially consequential screen addiction.
Seeking financial compensation
Even drivers who are able to avoid distraction themselves could be seriously injured by others who are distracted. Under these circumstances, seeking legal guidance in order to pursue justice and compensation is generally wise.
