Traffic crashes have many causes, from workers struggling with fatigue after a demanding shift to drunk driving and bad weather. Drivers should also understand the prevalence of distracted driving collisions and review the various reasons why so many people lose focus behind the wheel. Sadly, a significant number of people sustain severe injuries and some lose their lives as a result of these collisions.
Electronic devices play a role in many distracted driving collisions, but drivers should also go over some of the other common sources of distraction.
Various activities lead to distracted driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlines different things people do that result in distracted driving collisions. Sending a text message, talking on the phone, using a GPS and adjusting the volume can cause a driver to divert their attention from the road. Other risk factors include conversing with passengers, reaching for items on the floor, drinking, eating food and looking at something alongside the road.
The consequences of distracted driving
Even if a driver fails to look at the road briefly, a devastating crash could occur. For example, if someone reads a text for just five seconds, they can travel the distance of a football field at 55 miles per hour. Tragically, distracted driving resulted in the loss of 3,522 lives in 2021.
Following a crash, victims could become sidelined from work due to serious injuries. Financial problems can also arise, such as medical bills and lost wages. Distracted drivers who cause serious accidents should have to answer for their behavior.