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Understanding the 3 types of driver distraction

On Behalf of | Nov 9, 2016 | Car Accidents/MVA |

There is no shortage of distractions to deal with when you are on the road, but it is your responsibility to identify and prevent them. Doing so is much easier when you understand what types of distractions you are likely to face. There are three primary distraction categories that are typically identified: visual, cognitive and manual. Sometimes you will even have to deal with all of these at once, as a report on driving with kids found. You can better understand principles of safe driving by learning about these distractions and avoiding them seriously.

Visual distractions can be deadly

The development of texting made visual distractions one of the most common problems on the road. Visual distractions occur, as you may have guessed, when a driver is looking away from the road. Texting is just one of many common offenders for this deadly problem, though. You can also be visually distracted by GPS devices, the radio, your child or anything else surrounding you that takes your attention away from the road.


Combat cognitive distractions

Even when your eyes are on the r oad, your mind might not be. In some cases, this can be just as dangerous if not more so. This can happen when you are talking to somebody else in the car or simply zoning out and getting lost in thought. It is important that drivers maintain full mental presence and alertness, so if you notice that you’re having difficulty doing so, make a point of clearing your head and noticing what is happening on the road.

Maintain control over manual distractions

The final of the three primary distractions is manual fixation. This occurs when a driver’s hands are taken off the wheel. If you are eating, drinking, looking for something or adjusting the radio, you are experiencing this distraction. Hands need to be kept on the wheel at all times so that you can respond to unexpected events on the road.

Master the skills of safe driving

Safe driving is a skill that must be developed and maintained. It is each driver’s obligation to do so. If you want to improve your skills and make the road a safer place, you can start by preventing these three common sources of distraction. Focusing on the road alone will massively reduce opportunities for getting into accidents.

If you have been involved in an accident with a driver who was distracted, you should be aware of your legal rights. Contact an attorney for more information on your options.

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