Common Causes of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is considered as any sort of activity which takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Unfortunately, it has become one of the main reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur. According to Distraction.gov, 431,000 people were injured and 3,179 were killed after being involved in auto accidents with distracted drivers.

The following are the common causes to distracted driving accidents:

Talking on the phone – Whether it be handheld or hands-free, talking on a cellphone while driving impairs driver reaction that’s similar to drunk driving. The National Safety Council reports that cellphone use while driving results in 1.6 million collisions annually.
Texting – In the United States, one out of four car accidents is caused by texting in driving. It takes about five seconds of attention to send a text, which is enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.
Grooming – Despite being late to work, applying makeup or shaving your face while driving can be very dangerous. Since your hands are occupied, you may not have enough time to react to an oncoming car or debris on the road.
Drinking or eating – Two percent of distracted drivers were either eating or drinking when a fatal crash occurred. Instead of cutting down on time by multitasking, consider making a pit stop.
Talking to passengers – While it may be helpful to have someone with you in order to stay awake on a road trip or switch with driving duties, having a full on conversation with a passenger may be enough to take your eyes of the road and cause an accident.
Using a GPS or navigation system – Even though it is designed to ensure you’re heading in the right direction towards your destination, constantly checking your GPS can be disastrous. Make sure yours come with audio commands to deter an accident from occurring.
Adjusting the radio station – Fiddling with the AC or radio for just a split second contributes to a small amount of distracted driving crashes.
Spacing out – Aside from cellphone use, letting your mind wander is one of the biggest causes of distracted driving fatalities.

If you have been involved in a car accident in Mississippi, schedule a free consultation with Harris Law Firm, PLLC today.

Noel Harris

W. Noel Harris, founder of Harris Law Firm, PLLC, is a distinguished personal injury attorney with a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Since 1981, he has been a dedicated member of the Plaintiff’s bar, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and products liability. Known for his profound legal knowledge and tenacious client representation, Noel has over three decades of experience, yielding numerous million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. His commitment to justice is reflected in his memberships in prestigious legal associations, including the Mississippi and Arkansas Bars, Mississippi Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, and the National Trial Lawyers Association. Recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and holding an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Noel’s expertise and ethical standards set him apart as a leading advocate for accident victims in Greenville, MS. Read

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