We have all seen it – a person driving while looking at their cell phone, eating a cheeseburger, or turned fully around trying to calm down their child. Distracted driving is everywhere and is causing more car accidents every year. Texas Department of Transportation statistics show that 17.4% of motor vehicle crashes on Texas roads in 2019 involved distracted drivers. Out of the total number of distracted driving accidents (97,853), there were 2,500 serious injuries and 378 fatalities. In an effort to reduce distracted driving accidents, Texas recently passed a law that prohibits driving while reading, writing, or sending electronic messages on a mobile device.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from the road while you are driving is considered distracted driving. There are always many different types of distractions in the car with you – all of which reduce your reaction time when things change on the road in front and to the sides of you. The most common types of distractions that lead to distracted driving are:
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are the most common type of distraction. When you are visually distracted, you are no longer physically looking at the road ahead. Drivers should always be looking about five to six car lengths ahead while driving to be able to react to other cars, pedestrians, bicycles, etc. Visual distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road for an average of five seconds. Five seconds may not seem like a long time, but a car going 55 mph can travel the distance of an entire football field in just five seconds.
Visual distractions while driving include:
- Looking at a phone while reading or responding to a message
- Looking at a car’s GPS screen or entertainment system
- Reading a billboard advertisement
- Looking at a car accident as it drives by
- Turning around to check on children
- Checking makeup in the mirror
Noise Distractions
There are many sounds inside and outside of a car that can easily distract a driver. While noise distractions may not seem like a big deal, anything that makes a driver react or turn their head can take their mind off the road. Louder sounds can even prevent a driver from hearing an emergency siren and they could miss seeing an oncoming ambulance or police vehicle. Maybe their car is making a strange mechanical noise or there is a baby crying in the backseat.
Noise distractions can include:
- The car making a strange mechanical noise
- Children screaming or crying
- Excessively loud music
- Speaking on the phone via hands-free methods
Physical Distractions
When a driver’s hands are taken off the wheel to do something, it is considered a physical distraction. There are many types of physical distractions that can cause a driver to take one or both hands off the steering wheel. These distractions are especially dangerous because most physical distractions are accompanied by visual distractions. With the driver’s hands off the wheel and eyes potentially off the road, they will find it almost impossible to react in time when a sudden change happens in front of them. They can easily lose control of the car and cause a serious car accident.
Physical distracted driving can include:
- Eating or drinking in the car
- Interacting with the car’s entertainment or GPS system
- Reaching behind or across a seat to grab an item
- Adjusting the air conditioning system
Driving while distracted has severe consequences. Many of the above distractions usually happen in a combination of one or more types at the same time, which significantly reduces a driver’s ability to focus completely on driving. Car crashes caused by distracted drivers can cause serious injuries and even death.
South Texas Car Accident Attorneys
Texans have the right to feel safe driving in their state. Being in a distracted driving accident can be complicated and stressful. By selecting quality legal representation, you won’t have to worry about your next steps because you will have the guidance and support of an experienced personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the Weslaco car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a car accident in Texas, so don’t delay.
