Drivers today face more distractions than ever before while behind the wheel. Between cell phones, food, and our families, there are numerous things that can take our eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or distract us mentally. Our Charleston auto accident lawyers discuss five of the most common and most dangerous habits of distracted drivers.
Texting & Talking on the Phone
It should come as no surprise that cell phone use is one of the most dangerous activities you can engage in behind the wheel. Smartphones have become a more integral part of our daily lives, and smartphone use behind the wheel has become the poster child for negligent driving. If you were injured by someone who was texting while driving, you may have a strong case for compensation.
Eating & Drinking
Although texting behind the wheel is today’s go-to driver distraction, eating while driving is still a highly dangerous activity. While most drivers have the sense to avoid foods like spaghetti or chicken noodle soup, even one-handed foods can lead to serious accidents as they can create a mental and a physical distraction. Hot drinks like coffee can spill onto your lap, instantly taking your attention off the road.
Tired or Drowsy Driving
While we all can be a bit exhausted after a long day, driving while tired can be an extremely irresponsible behavior. When you’re tired or drowsy, your reaction time can be slowed significantly. Even worse, you can potentially fall asleep behind the wheel and cause an accident.
Tending to Kids
Any parent will attest to how distracting kids can be while driving. Children often fight with a sibling or want your help picking something up off the floor. Attending to kids while driving can take your attention off the road for as much as 10 seconds at a time, which can lead to potentially serious accidents. To keep an eye on children in the backseat, it’s common for parents to adjust the rearview mirror, which can also prevent them from seeing dangers around them.
Grooming & Applying Makeup
People applying makeup or grooming themselves while driving is a common sight for many during their morning commute. Both of these are highly distracting behaviors, because they are physically, visually, and mentally distracting. Even taking two seconds to check yourself in the mirror can lead to a serious collision.
Don’t let another driver’s negligence cost you more than it already has. Call our Charleston auto accident attorneys at (843) 968-0886 to pursue compensation for your injuries.