What are the different types of distracted driving?

There have always been distractions when driving, but it easier than ever for drivers in North Carolina and elsewhere to have their attention diverted from the road. You should understand the different types of distracted driving and how to avoid them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three main types of driving distractions that you can experience – visual, manual and cognitive. The following points apply to these factors:

• Visual distractions draw your eyes off the road. You could easily be distracted from driving by attractive scenery or an accident at the side of the road.
• Manual distractions involve your hands or feet. You might drop a water bottle and become distracted by taking your hands off the wheel and trying to reach the bottle on the floor.
• Cognitive distractions involve taking your mind off the task of driving. You could lose your concentration if you get into a heated argument while behind the wheel or if you get caught up in daydreaming.

Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three distraction types – while reading or answering a text, your hands are on your phone, your eyes are not on the road and your mind is concentrating on the text, rather than on driving.

Every day, about nine people are killed and over 1,000 are injured across the United States in crashes attributed to distracted driving. You may be able to make smart choices regarding your own driving, but you can’t control the actions of other drivers. You may be eligible for compensation if a distracted driver injures you; therefore, this information is not meant to serve as legal advice.