Texting Is Not the Only Distraction While Driving

Since the emergence of texting as a popular means of communication, its danger to drivers has become increasingly clear. Many lives have been lost and drivers injured because of the negligence caused by texting while driving. All the attention given to this issue, however, has left many other common distractions overlooked. There are several factors, in fact, that can distract you from the road. 

The following are three of the most common distractions drivers face, other than texting, when on the road. If you have been in an accident that involved any of the following factors, you should get attention from a medical professional and seek advice from a legal representative as you recover from the incident. 

Smoking

Any action that distracts you from the road is potentially dangerous. Driving requires both mental and physical awareness at all times, so if your hands are unavailable, you are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors. Many drivers think it is no big deal to have a cigarette while behind the wheel, but doing so can keep your hands off the wheel and leave you at risk of distraction while driving. Rather than lighting up, wait until you get to your destination to enjoy a smoke break.

Eating and drinking

According to WGXA, Georgia laws have begun targeting drivers who are eating while driving. These stricter laws make those who drink and eat while driving liable for distracted driving. While this may seem extreme to some drivers, consuming food and beverages indeed distract you from the road and make it more difficult to respond to incidents in a timely manner. 

Physical maneuvers

You might not think it is a big deal to take your hands off the wheel and adjust the radio or change the music on your phone. Any physical movement that physically distracts you from driving, though, is a potential danger to yourself and others. Wait until your car is no longer in motion to make any such maneuvers so that you are not distracted from the road.