Drivers have to be able to give their full attention to driving. While some people think of distractions as things that take the driver’s eyes off the road, it can also include the driver’s thoughts being taken away from driving.
Cognitive distractions can include things like daydreaming, having a deep conversation, thinking about problems at work or ruminating over issues at home. These types of distractions are especially dangerous because they often go unnoticed. A driver may not realize their attention has drifted until it’s too late.
Problems that arise from cognitive distractions
Cognitive distractions slow reaction time and reduce awareness. A driver who’s mentally preoccupied may miss stop signs, fail to yield or drift into another lane. Strong emotions like anger or sadness can also cloud judgment and impair focus in such a severe manner that the driver can’t make the decisions they need to make on the road.
Even if these occur for only a few seconds, the vehicle can go a considerable distance. At 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels the length of a football field in five seconds. During that entire stretch, the vehicle is moving without being adequately controlled.
Victims of distracted driving crashes often have considerable injuries, some of which may require emergency medical care. Catastrophic injuries can lead to long-term medical care needs. Those victims may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help cover their costs, but their time to do this is limited by state law. Working with an individual who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial for these victims.