If you were to stand at a busy Chicago intersection for five minutes, observing drivers passing by, you would likely find many examples of distracted driving. All sorts of distractions can detract from driving, including using a smartphone, engaging in a deep conversation, wrangling rowdy kids, and more. While many of these things seem innocuous, they can greatly increase your chances of getting into a car accident or causing a pedestrian accident. To help you understand the three major types of distracted driving in Chicago, Lerner and Rowe’s Illinois injury lawyers offer this Distracted Driving Awareness Month blog.
Distracted Driving Is a Major Problem
Take a moment to think about the many different distractions tugging at your attention as you drive. Today’s automobiles are computers on wheels within a protective barrier consisting of a couple thousand pounds of steel. The average automobile comes with all sorts of high-tech features and ample space for several passengers. Even something as seemingly innocent as a simple conversation with a passenger qualifies as distracted driving. However, there are much more serious distractions in today’s automobiles.
People are constantly fiddling with their phones and infotainment systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted drivers kill approximately 9 people per day in the United States alone. About 1,000 people suffer injury each day in automobile crashes in the United States resulting from distracted driving. With major advancements in phone apps and advanced infotainment systems like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, it’s no wonder that distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents in America.
The Three Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can be defined as performing an activity that shifts the driver’s attention away from actual driving. This heightens the odds of an accident. However, this definition fails to distinguish between the different types of distracted driving. Even the most experienced and skilled driver may likely succumb to at least one of the three types of distracted driving. It is awfully easy to shift your attention to vehicle niceties and away from the road.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions are one that cause you to take one or both of your hands off of the steering wheel. Examples of these distractions include using your smartphone while driving, changing the radio station, eating while driving, and applying makeup while driving. This form of distracted driving in Chicago often proves deadly as the driver relinquishes control of the vehicle as soon as their hands leave the wheel. Even something as simple as reaching for a can of soda in the cup holder qualifies as a manual distraction.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions take your mind off the task of driving. Examples of cognitive distractions include daydreaming, having deep conversations, or thinking about chores you have to do instead of focusing on driving safely. Additionally, do not discount the potential for a ringing cell phone or an audible notification of a text message to distract you or a fellow driver. Thankfully, modern phone operating systems like Apple iOS and Google Android have modes that limit phone alerts and other distractions once you reach a certain speed. Our team highly recommends using these features.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions cause the driver to take their eyes off the road. Examples of this include looking at billboards, staring at phone alerts, or looking for a dropped object instead of looking at the road. While it’s easy to think, “I’ll be safe if I take my eyes off of the road for only a few seconds.” This can be a deadly mistake. According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your chances of getting into a car accident. Being distracted for two seconds can literally make the difference between staying safe and suffering a catastrophic injury.
Contact a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
The team at Lerner and Rowe hopes that this blog has given you a better understanding of the causes of distracted driving in Chicago. Please share this information with your friends and family as part of Distracted Driving Awareness month. Should you get into an accident caused by a distracted driver, please call us for immediate assistance.
You can reach the Chicago injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe by phone at 844-977-1900 or online through LiveChat and encrypted contact form. Our lawyers have more than 270 years of combined experience representing injury victims and have won billion-dollar results for clients across the country. With a proven track record of winning maximum settlements combined with a genuine commitment to customer care, Lerner and Rowe has become one of the most trusted personal injury law firms in the nation. Give us a call today and you’ll quickly find out why.