Gibbons Law Firm: Why Driving Distracted is Dangerous

Distracted driving is a common cause of many vehicle accidents. Not only do you face legal dangers if driving distracted, but you can also cause harm to yourself and anyone on the roadway. Driving is a big responsibility that should be taken very seriously. As an experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know about the legal ramifications you may face if the cause of an accident due to distracted driving.

Why is Distracted Driving Dangerous?

Being distracted takes your attention away from the visual, cognitive, AND manual requirements of operating a vehicle. When you mix this combination with operating a vehicle, the eyes, mind, and hands cannot focus on both the distraction and driving at the same time. While it may only seem that a driver looks away for a second to read a text, driving conditions can change in less than a second – delaying the driver’s reaction. If a driver is traveling 55 mph and takes their eyes off the road for 5 seconds (the average time it takes to read a text), they will have traveled 100 yards without looking at the road.

Top Distractors for Drivers:

Texting - Texting takes visual, cognitive, AND manual attention away from driving - all at the same time. The average time the eyes leave the road to read a text message is five seconds. That is about 100 yards if you are traveling 55 miles per hour. A driver is 23 times MORE likely to be involved in an accident if they text while driving.

Eating - When you eat while driving, you are taking your attention away from the roadway. Many times you may look down to search for your food in the bag or look to locate your drink. When you eat in the car, there is a higher chance of dropping food which can lead to further distractions trying to pick it back up. Anytime your eyes leave the road or your attention is drawn away from driving, it can create a dangerous situation on the roadway.

Grooming - A number of people will take care of some facial grooming behind the wheel. From putting on makeup to shaving, you may feel like you are saving time if you do these tasks while driving. Multitasking behind the wheel is dangerous for you and others on the roadway.

Music - Changing the radio station seems like a simple task, but it can easily take your attention off the road. Reaching to turn the dial and worrying about which station you are on can be a distractor. If you are changing a cd, it can be an even bigger distraction fumbling with the cd case and inserting it into the player.

GPS - It's best to configure your GPS before starting to drive. Trying to type in an address while moving can be difficult and dangerous. When driving, try to pay attention to what your GPS is telling you ahead of time. This can help to avoid last minute lane changes when you are busy driving.

Without a doubt, driving while distracted is dangerous. If you find yourself in an accident due to distracted driving, it may be time to seek legal representation. Our Lake of the Ozarks law firm can help protect your rights if you are involved in an accident. A personal injury lawsuit in mid-MO can have a big impact on your life. An experienced lawyer, like Gibbons Law Firm, can help ensure your rights are being respected in the legal proceedings.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.