In Georgia, auto accidents can happen for many reasons. Those reasons include speeding, drivers who are under the influence, drowsiness, and recklessness. However, one of the most common reasons for crashes is distraction.
There have long been distractive influences negatively impacting a person’s ability to drive safely, but the explosion of handheld devices with seemingly endless capabilities has exacerbated the problem.
Many drivers cannot resist the temptation to check their device when they are behind the wheel. They make and receive calls, send and read text messages, check emails, and even watch videos.
Any distraction that removes a person’s concentration from operating the vehicle is a significant risk. It can cause a collision with catastrophic injuries and death. Everyone on the road is vulnerable, particularly pedestrians, bicyclists, elderly people, and children. Those who think they can multi-task need to understand the hidden dangers of distracted driving.
There are four areas of distraction
Researchers say there are four areas that are negatively impacted by distracted driving. They include manual, visual, auditory, and cognitive. Manual would involve removing one’s hands from the wheel. This is not limited to using a device. It can include eating, changing the radio, putting on makeup, and adjusting navigational apps. Of course, a cellphone would involve manual use. Georgia has a hands-free law where drivers are not allowed to use a handheld device while driving, but many ignore that law and law enforcement only intermittently issues citations.
Removing one’s eyes from the road falls into the visual distraction category. It is obvious why this is a problem. Not looking at the road while simultaneously checking a message, sending a message, playing a game, or looking up information keeps the driver from focusing on what they should be focusing on: what is in front of them.
Auditory distraction is listening to things that serve to remove their focus on the road. It could be music, notifications from their device, and talking to another person on a speaker phone. This too removes a person’s attention from the road.
Finally, the most understated area of distraction is cognitive. People need to maintain a certain level of concentration to be safe on the road. It takes a mental toll to check a device, read what it says, interpret it, and respond. A simple matter of thinking about how to reply to a text serves as a distraction that can cause an auto accident.
Distracted driving places everyone in danger
People spend so much time on the road that they might begin to think that they can do it without full concentration. This can lead to various mistakes. For example, they might inadvertently veer into the opposite lane and cause a head-on crash. If they are approaching a red light, they might not stop and could hit a person crossing the street. A rear-end accident can lead to the person ahead of the distracted driver suffering from back injuries and worse.
When there is any type of auto accident, it is imperative that there be a full investigation to determine if distraction was a factor. There will be evidence of distracted driving including phone records, texts, and emails. The circumstances are also key. Those who are hurt will have medical costs, lost wages, the possibility of long-term damage, and even death.
For assistance with making a full financial, personal, and physical recovery, it is important to have assistance that is experienced in distracted driving auto accidents and understands how to pursue a legal claim.