While many car accidents are caused by drinking, aggression and speeding, one of the biggest causes is distracted driving. A distraction while driving can be anything visual, manual or cognitive. If a driver looks away from the road or takes their hand off the wheel while their vehicle is in motion, then they are distracted. Even just a few seconds of distracted driving can cause an accident.
Possibly the most common cause of distracted driving accidents is phones — especially now that virtually everybody has a smartphone with them at all times. Drivers can take steps to reduce the likelihood that their phones will cause distractions while driving. Here’s what you should know:
How can you reduce phone distractions?
There are a few things drivers can do to reduce distracted driving accidents. For starters, drivers can put their phones in places that aren’t easily accessible. These places may include the glovebox, a purse or backpack or the trunk.
Or, drivers could give their phones to passengers. A passenger could take any calls or texts until the driver has parked their car.
Many phone companies realize the dangers of distracted driving and have included features on phones for users. Drivers can turn on “driving mode” or “do not disturb mode” while driving so that notifications are silenced. The simplest trick drivers can take to reduce distracted driving accidents, or course, is to simply turn off their phones. A phone that’s turned off can’t notify the driver of any calls or texts. These calls and texts can still be seen once the phone is turned back on.
People who practice safe driving by silencing or turning off their phones can still become victims of auto accidents because there are plenty of drivers out there who don’t take such precautions. Victims who are suffering from serious injuries after an auto accident need to learn what legal options they should take to get compensation.
