It’s no secret that texting while driving and driving can be dangerous. It is actually one of the most dangerous activities a driver can engage in while driving. Each year, hundreds of people are injured or killed in car accidents that result from texting while driving.
- Texting while driving can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. It distracts drivers from the road. Drivers who are focused on reading or sending text messages while driving can lose sight of the road. This can cause serious accidents.
- Texting while driving can lead to a driver losing control of their vehicle. An auto accident is more likely if a driver texting while driving.
Examples of distracted driving
- Autopilot enabled, you should not be paying attention
- Surfing the web or calling on the phone
- Take a picture
- Checking the weather and maps
- Social media viewing
- Consuming food or drinking
- Grooming;
- Using audio controls or navigation systems;
- There are many others.
Drivers who are unable to focus on driving the car properly can pose a danger and increase the risk of it collapsing. Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions because it takes five seconds to send or read a message.
According to the CDC, there are three types of distracted driving
- “Visual: Keeping your eyes off of the road.
- Manual: Taking your hands off of the wheel;
- Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving. Texting and driving use all three types. Your eyes are focused on your phone and can’t focus on the road. Your hands are focused on the phone and cannot be seen on the road. Your attention is focused on the message that you are reading or responding to.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traveling at 55 mph is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
This article will then focus on California’s victims of texting while driving. Too many motorists continue to text while driving despite the severe legal consequences and serious consequences. They are responsible for an alarming amount of accidents each year that result in injuries and deaths.
Understanding why texting and driving is so dangerous
Drivers are required to complete a variety of essential tasks in order to safely drive motor vehicles. Secondary, unimportant activities can greatly interfere with these fundamental tasks. The operator’s ability and motivation to safely drive is greatly affected by texting.
TEXTING AS A INTERNAL DISTRACTION
External distractions, such as an animal, pedestrian, bicyclist or accident, that occur outside of the car are external. Texting while driving is considered internal as it occurs within the vehicle. You can further break down distractions into three main categories.
- DISTRACTIONS VISUAL It’s called a visual distraction when the motorist’s attention drifts away from the road and surrounding conditions.
- DISTRACTIONS MANUAL Manual activities are those that require the operator to use a device or object other than the vehicle controls or steering wheel.
- COGNITIVE DISTRACTIONS Drivers may think about topics that are not directly related to driving, which can affect their concentration and commitment to the main task of driving.
Texting involves always #1 and #2 above. Sometimes, it may also include all three distractions which can make it very dangerous.
Summarized from an article by GJEL Accident Attorneys.
