Car crashes happen every day in the United States. There’s a good chance that you may have seen one while driving to or from work, for example. Or course, the truth is that many of the crashes that happen could be avoided. People simply get distracted and don’t pay attention to what they should be doing, which is focusing on the road ahead of them.
With technology and the high-paced society that America has become, it’s no wonder that people are distracted. Still, people are told about the dangers of driving while texting or using a phone, but they just don’t stop. It’s actually believed that the number of distracted-driving crashes are underreported, even though they’re already linked to 10% of fatal crashes and 15% of injury crashes, as of 2015 data.
The reality is that there are many kinds of distractions that people may face, from manual distractions (eating in a vehicle) to cognitive distractions (thinking about something stressful) to visual distractions (looking away from the road). When you take your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road and your mind off what you’re doing, you’re putting yourself and others at risk of a serious collision.
How can you reduce the risk of being involved in a distracted-driving crash?
Your best bet to avoid a distracted-driving crash is to stay focused on the road. Others may make mistakes that you can’t control, but if you’re able to notice them and react, you could help prevent a collision. If you do end up getting hit, remember that the other party can be held accountable for their actions.