What Are The Dangers Of Distracted Driving On The Road?
March 19, 2020
In cities like Los Angeles with a high volume of traffic, all it takes is a split second of distraction to cause a car accident. It’s not just busy cities, either. Taking your eyes off the road for even a moment, or even driving when you’re upset or your mind is elsewhere can result in a car accident that changes your life forever.
While checking a text or answering a phone call may seem like an easy task while you’re behind the wheel, it takes your eyes off of the road for just enough time to cause serious damage. And we’re not just talking about you — an accident can disrupt the lives of everyone on the road around you. In the five seconds you spend checking your phone, your car can travel the length of a football field. Imagine the damage that could be done.
In today’s blog from SR22 Savings in Los Angeles, we’ll go over all of the different ways that it’s easy to get distracted behind the wheel. We hope that you drive with caution and stay focused on the busy Los Angeles interstates. As always, if you’re looking for SR-22 insurance in California or more affordable SR22 insurance coverage, call the qualified agents at SR22 Savings today.
What Qualifies As Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving can be anything like texting, making phone calls, crying or being or upset, eating, or even adjusting the radio. Newer vehicles these days have made some of these tasks less distracting with Bluetooth connectivity or steering wheel radio controls, but anything that takes your thoughts and your eyes away from the road can be considered a distraction.
By driving distracted, you are putting yourself and others at serious risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that drivers under the age of 20 have the highest percentage of fatal crashes due to distracted driving — but no one is exempt from it. Teenagers are not the only ones that are prone to texting and driving. We can almost guarantee that everyone who gets behind the wheel has texted while driving at some point or another. It’s time to reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Four Types Of Distractions
There are four types of distractions that can take a driver’s attention away from the drive itself.
Visual Distractions - looking at something other than the road.
Auditory Distractions - hearing something not related to driving.
Manual - manipulating something other than the steering wheel.
Cognitive - thinking about something other than driving.
Any of these distractions can put the driver and any passengers, as well as other drivers on the road, in danger. Distractions can come from sources associated with the vehicle, brought into the vehicle, external to the vehicle, or internal to the driver’s mind. Yes, even daydreaming is considered a dangerous distraction while driving.
Texting And Driving
The most common distraction that causes the highest percentage of distracted driving accidents is texting. Texting involves three types of distraction — visual, manual, and cognitive. Not enough people take this distraction seriously until it results in an accident.
It’s important to understand that any text can wait, and if it can’t, it’s safer to make a phone call if you have Bluetooth connectivity in your car. If you don’t, we urge you to wait until you’ve reached your destination to read the text or send a return message.
Take A Stand
At SR22 Savings in California, we want to take a stand against distracted driving in California to keep the roads safer for you and the people of Los Angeles. If everyone does their part in resisting the urge to text, eat, or do anything else that distracts them from the road — our roads can become safer each day.
But where do you start? Take precautions. Send any texts that you need to before you begin your trip to let your friends and family know that you’re on your way and you won’t be texting while you’re driving. Eat before you hit the road. Choose your music before you shift your car into drive. Do what you can to minimize any distractions that may arise while you’re behind the wheel. Stay focused on the road and on the drivers around you. Doing your best to keep the roads safe can make a difference.
Choose SR22 Savings To Find A Cheap SR22 Insurance Policy After An Accident
If you’ve recently been involved in an accident that was caused by your distracted driving or a different distracted driver, your insurance rate may have increased. With your help to minimize car accidents caused by distracted driving, we can make insurance rates more affordable all throughout Los Angeles. If you’ve recently been in an accident or gotten a DUI, it’s time to call the knowledgeable and experienced insurance agents at SR22 Insurance Savings to find a more affordable rate with coverage that fits your needs. Call today to get started!