Driving distractions are classified into three separate areas – visual, manual and cognitive. While visual was previously mentioned, manual refers to removing your hands from the wheel and cognitive distractions occur when you take your mind off what you’re doing. Distraction.gov defines distracted driving as “any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.”
Safety advocates believe that texting is the most dangerous, as it involves all three types of distractions. There are also numerous types of activities that can distract drivers and cause Southern California car accidents, including:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Eating
- Drinking
- Grooming
- Reading a map
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Changing a CD or radio station
Driver distraction is a major problem. In 2008, almost 6,000 people died and over half a million people were injured in car accidents involving inattentive drivers. However, it is believed that driver distractions could be factors in even more crashes, as it is difficult to identify in many cases.
If you have been hurt in a Southern California auto accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to obtain compensation. You should contact a Santa Monica car accident attorney at Steinberg Injury Lawyers at (800) 989-6385 to find out what rights you have following your accident.
