Driving requires concentration and abiding civility toward our fellow drivers. It’s estimated that there are around 10 million car accidents every year due to human error and dangerous driving habits. Below we have outlined some alarming driving behaviors. The most important thing to realize about all of them is that everything on the list below, can be accomplished before getting behind the wheel, or it can wait until you get to a place where the vehicle can be safely parked. While you can’t expect everyone to show common sense, we urge you to do everything possible so that you avoid these pitfalls and are never distracted while driving.
Texting – No matter how much the danger of texting while driving has been publicized, nationwide reports keep mounting about accidents resulting from this extremely dangerous activity. If you are tempted to check your phone while driving, remember, in the time it takes to check your phone, you just drove the distance of a football field at 55mph. Taking our eyes off the road can be fatal.
Talking On A Cell Phone – We’ve gotten so used to the idea of using the cell phone in our daily life that we forget that doing so in our vehicles distracts us from keeping our full attention on the road. Any form of distraction behind the wheel, no matter how small, can prove disastrous. Driving requires eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and thoughts on the task of driving.
Reaching For Objects Within The Vehicle – This is very common, and while manipulating the controls of a stereo to change the music, GPS system, climate control system, or reaching for a drink in the cup holder, even trying to retrieve an object that has fallen on the floor may seem like a common thing to do; however, the lack of concentration on the real task at hand – driving – may result in an accident. By managing your driving distractions, for example adjusting the controls before you start driving, will keep you, your passengers and fellow drivers safe.
Applying Makeup – We’ve all seen it while we’re driving, women put on makeup during their morning commute. Using rearview mirror to apply makeup blocks the view of the back of the vehicle, and using the mirror in the visor blocks considerable view of the front of the vehicle. Just like texting while driving, this activity requires both visual and manual distractions that impair cognitive awareness of the road and the traffic surrounding us.
Eating Or Reading – While these may sounds farfetched, it’s certainly done, and it has definitely resulted in accidents on our roadways. If you must eat or read directions, pull over, it’s not worth endangering yourself and others. These are visual distractions that divert your eyes from the road and hands from the wheel.
No matter how conscientious you are about your driving habits, accidents will happen, other drivers may not be as logical. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Florida resulting from the negligence of others, contact the Automobile Accident Attorneys of Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., toll-free, at 1-800-TellRobert. We have over three decades of experience with vehicular accident cases, and we will evaluate your claim free of charge and advise you about your legal rights to receive compensation. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.