Distracted driving is a major and rising concern on modern roadways. It occurs when drivers turn their focus away from operating a vehicle safely and participate in activities that compromise that ability.
Though they differ, distractions fall mostly into three main types. Every type poses different hazards for drivers and other road users, as you’ll learn in this article.
Visual Distractions
Visual distraction is often a major cause of distracted driving accidents. When a motorist looks away from the road, they are visually distracted. Since it entails staring at something different than the road ahead, this is maybe the most obvious kind of distraction.
Common examples are checking a phone, modifying the GPS, or even glancing at roadside billboards. Drivers find it difficult to respond to abrupt changes in traffic conditions or to see crucial signals like stop signs or red lights when visual distractions get in the way.
Studies reveal that even a few seconds of looking away from the road greatly increases your chance of an accident. In these circumstances, the probability of missing crucial visual signals or failing to spot other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists is quite high. A quick glance away can have disastrous results. Drivers should thus constantly keep their eyes fixed on the road.
Visual distractions are dangerous since they instantly affect the driver’s capacity to evaluate their surroundings. Although all kinds of distractions are dangerous, visual ones directly influence reaction time and hence are among the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions include the driver removing one or both hands from the wheel. This is usually to complete other tasks within the car. This might include eating, drinking, changing the radio, or reaching for objects in the car.
Manual distractions compromise the driver’s control of the vehicle, thereby making it more difficult to steer, brake, or react to unanticipated road hazards. Common manual distractions include things drivers usually consider to be harmless, such as carrying a phone or a cup of coffee.
These acts are dangerous since they require the use of one’s hands, which are meant for the steering wheel. Fewer hands in control of the steering wheel means that reacting to changing road conditions takes more time, which can cause accidents.
When manual distractions happen at high speeds, they especially worry drivers. This is because they have less time to react and take control of their vehicle. Little tasks like changing mirrors or grabbing objects can be fatal if they cause a loss of control during a critical moment.
Cognitive Distractions
Though more difficult to identify, cognitive distractions are equally dangerous. They happen even if the driver’s hands are on the wheel and their eyes are on the road. It occurs when the driver’s mind is not totally engaged in driving.
Daydreaming, a deep conversation with a passenger, or just considering something unrelated to driving can all lead to this kind of diversion. Cognitive distractions slow down drivers’ response times and may make them less aware of their surroundings.
The fact that drivers might not even be aware they are distracted presents one of the toughest obstacles with cognitive distractions. A mentally distracted motorist might ignore traffic signals, overlook pedestrians, or miss other cars coming from different directions.
Cognitive distractions also affect drivers’ capacity to foresee and prevent accidents since they might not be psychologically ready to act fast. Cognitive distractions are less obvious but equally dangerous when compared to visual or physical ones since they do not require drivers to physically engage in anything. Drivers should remain mentally active to guarantee that their responses are quick and appropriate in all conditions.
