When Idaho motorists fail to properly pay attention to the road due to distraction, everyone on the road is at risk of an accident. There are different types of distracted driving that can pose danger.
The dangers of distracted driving
Most people automatically think of texting and driving when the topic arises. However, there are many different ways a driver can become distracted. Surprisingly, even the simple act of daydreaming can lead to it and cause a car accident to occur.
Distracted driving is dangerous because it causes a driver’s focus to shift off the road and the responsibility they have to safely control their vehicle. According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people were killed as a result of distracted driving in 2020. Out of the car accidents that resulted in deaths that same year, more than 8% were due to this type of behavior.
Different types of distracted driving
There are additional reasons why distracted driving is so dangerous. There are three different types of distractions that can put everyone at risk of a serious accident. Visual distraction is one of them. It occurs when a driver looks somewhere other than the road. For instance, a driver might glance at their cell phone to see who just called or texted them.
Manual distraction occurs when the driver removes their hands from the steering wheel to perform some other action. Many people eat while driving. If you are eating behind the wheel, it requires you to hold your food with at least one hand. This can cause you to lose control of your steering.
Cognitive distraction occurs when your concentration shifts from the road and your driving onto another task. For example, having a conversation with passengers can cause this type of distraction even if it’s not a heated one.