According to the National Safety Council, each year, some 1.6 million car accidents nationwide involve cellphone distractions. Although cellphone use is regarded as the number one distraction, several other things can take the attention of drivers off driving. Keeping a lookout for drivers showing the telltale signs of distraction might help save lives in Florida and elsewhere.
Distraction types
Anything that distracts a driver can be classified as one of the following:
Visual: Grooming, looking at a cellphone, rubbernecking, billboards and anything else that takes the driver’s eyes away from the road.
Cognitive: Doing any other task than driving takes the driver’s attention away from driving, including daydreaming and some visual and manual distractions.
Manual: Anything that takes the driver’s hands from the steering wheel is a manual distraction, including some visual and cognitive distraction types.
Responsible drivers who lookout for the following red flags could avoid being victims of car accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Cellphone distractions: Drivers who look down while driving are likely looking at cellphones, and at night, the glow of the phone might illuminate their faces.
Interaction with passengers: Wild gestures could indicate arguments or intense interaction with passengers.
Interactions with children or pets: Constant reaching or turning to the back might indicate distractions in the rear seat.
Eating: Drivers who are chewing might be distracted by their burgers, hot dogs or other food, and those holding paper cups are obviously not entirely focused on their driving.
Posture: Any driver bent over is clearly distracted by dropped objects, lighting cigarettes, adjusting their seats, using the touchscreen or console and other non-driving tasks.
Distractions while driving can cause catastrophic accidents in the blink of an eye. Victims of such car accidents in Florida might have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit in a civil court. However, proving that another driver was distracted and negligent is never an easy task, and support or guidance from legal counsel might be necessary.