Recognize and Combat Distracted Driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

This April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and while most people now know what distracted driving is, they don't realize that they are likely taking part in it daily. Distracted driving can be as dangerous as drowsy or drunk driving, and in fact, it can be worse, because your guard is completely down and you don't have a sense that something is off even though you're sober and awake. Take a look at what distracted driving is really all about, and chances are you'll recognize actions that you thought weren't a problem.
Distracted driving is driving when your attention is pulled away by something else. Your kids might be fighting in the backseat and you end up yelling at them instead of looking at the road, you get so caught up in finding a good song on the radio that you forget to pay attention to the upcoming stoplights, you zone out on a long road trip, and so on. Texting while driving is a form of distracted driving; so is putting on makeup while in the driver's seat and concentrating on finding the fry bag in your fast food order even though your eyes are pointed at the road.
Obviously, you can't stop thinking while you're behind the wheel. It's common for attention to ebb and flow to an extent. However, you do need to control that ebb and flow so that you maintain safe reaction times.
Distracted driving falls into three general categories:

1.      Manual, in which you remove one or both hands from the steering wheel;

2.      Visual, in which you look away from the road; and

3.      Cognitive, in which you are looking at the road and holding the steering wheel but not paying attention.

You can do one, two, or all three of these forms of distracted driving.
If you have been injured by someone who was driving while distracted, contact Eisenberg Law Offices. You need legal help to ensure you get proper compensation for injuries and living expenses while recovering.
This post was originally published at https://www.eisenberglaw.org/recognize-and-combat-distracted-driving/