Distracted driving awareness has increased since the creation and advancements of cell phones, but not all types of distractions tie in with talking or texting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 10 people in the United States die each day as a result of different types of distractions behind the wheel, as these actions greatly increase the risk of a car crash.
When motorists realize which actions can take their attention from the road, they may become more aware of the dangers and take steps to increase their focus while driving.
Eating and drinking
Many people think little of pulling into their favorite fast food drive-thru to eat while they drive to work or run errands, but this can cause serious distractions that increase the risk of a crash. Eating or drinking behind the wheel may result in several different types of distractions, such as:
- Accidentally dropping hot food or drinks
- Trying to unwrap fast food items
- Putting away money or credit cards
Any of these actions can cause a car accident and result in serious injuries for the driver and the occupants of the other vehicle.
Conversations with passengers
While most people understand the dangers of using a cell phone while operating a vehicle, having arguments or engaging in horseplay with passengers is equally dangerous. Drivers may take their eyes and attention off the road, and losing focus for even a moment is all it takes to cause a crash. Motorists may want to let passengers know that their attention needs to remain focused on the road before the trip begins.
Distracted driving tends to occur when younger drivers take the wheel. Overall, older teenagers are more likely than any other group of motorists to engage in distracting behavior.