Most drivers engage in at least 1 type of distracted driving at some point. Although there are many different types of distracted driving, there are 4 common types of distracted driving that are more prevalent than others. Let\u2019s discuss these types of distracted driving and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 4 common types of distracted driving are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may be surprised at how many ways drivers engage in distracted driving every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visual distractions are activities that cause you to take your eyes off the road, even if it\u2019s only for a second. Visual distractions are dangerous because they take your attention away from the road. When you\u2019re not focused on the road, your ability to assess your surroundings is impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of visual distractions can include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manual distractions are activities that force you to take both hands off the steering wheel. These distractions are dangerous because they slow your reaction time. Road conditions can change almost instantaneously, such as an animal running across the street or highway. If your reaction time is slowed down, it will be more difficult to avoid a collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manual distractions are those that require you to take both your hands off the wheel for any reason, which can include the following activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auditory distractions are those that are caused by noises that can affect your ability to hear and take your focus away from driving. These distractions can be dangerous because your cognitive performance can be affected, leading to accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auditory distractions while driving can include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cognitive distractions are internal or external mental tasks or activities that divert your attention away from driving. These distractions can impair your ability to react appropriately in hazardous road conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of cognitive distractions can include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Engaging in distracted driving makes you a hazard on the road. When you\u2019re driving distracted, your performance is impaired, and your awareness of your surroundings is limited, putting you at high risk of being involved in an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re distracted, you\u2019re less likely to notice objects that are close or far away, so you won\u2019t be able to respond appropriately to certain situations to prevent an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distracted driving is common because many drivers believe they can multitask while driving. A few seconds may not seem like a long time, but when you\u2019re driving, every second counts. Taking your eyes off the road for a split second can be the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is, your brain isn\u2019t able to multitask. When you\u2019re trying to do more than one thing at a time, your brain continuously switches your attention between tasks<\/a>, so you are never giving your undivided attention to one task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While technology makes a lot of tasks easier, it can also cause problems, such as distracted driving. Cell phones are a common factor in auto accidents. Using your cell phone while driving increases cognitive distraction, and since your brain can\u2019t truly multitask, your attention and focus are on your phone instead of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using your cell phone in any way, such as texting or talking on the phone, or using the GPS are all types of distracted driving. Even if you are using a hands-free device, your attention is still not solely on the road. With hands-free devices, your hands are free, which means both hands can remain on the steering wheel. However, you are still driving while distracted. You may not be holding the phone while you\u2019re having a conversation, but you\u2019re still engaging in conversation, which is an auditory distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distracted driving impacts thousands of Americans every year. Teenage and young adult drivers are more prone to distracted driving than any other age group. In 2019, fatal crashes that involved distracted driving in the U.S. were the highest among drivers who were 15-20 years of age<\/a>, which was higher than drivers who were at least 21 years of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 6 people are killed every day in the U.S. because of distracted driving. In 2019, over 3,000 individuals were killed, and more than 400,000 individuals were injured due to distracted driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Approximately 1 in 5 individuals who perished in auto crashes that involved a distracted driver were not in vehicles. These individuals were pedestrians, cyclists, or outside of a vehicle in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n State and federal authorities are working together to prevent distracted driving by creating laws that pertain to distracted driving. Although the effectiveness of texting and cell phone laws require more research, these laws can help reduce cell phone use while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has multiple campaigns<\/a> that increase awareness of distracted driving and the dangers it poses, such as the \u201cU Drive. U Text. U Pay, which started in April 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More and more vehicles are on the road, increasing the number of accidents caused by distracted driving. Auto insurance providers are noticing an increase in the number of accidents due to the rise in auto insurance claims because of distracted driving. As a result, auto insurance premiums are skyrocketing for drivers who are likely to cause an accident while distracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being involved in an auto accident caused by distracted driving can increase your auto insurance premium by as much as 49%, which is equivalent to an additional $864 increase per year for full auto coverage. The increase in your auto coverage can last as long as 3 years, costing you more than $2,500. Receiving a traffic citation can add more penalties, costing you more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Auto insurance providers take auto accidents caused by distracted driving seriously, and they are perceived as risky behavior. Engaging in risky behavior as a driver makes auto insurance companies view you as a liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your car insurance premium surcharges are determined by multiple factors, such as previous violations. An assessment of your overall risk of being involved in an accident will be completed to provide you with your total cost to be insured, which will likely be a lot more than a driver who doesn\u2019t engage in distracted driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distracted driving is avoidable. To ensure you don\u2019t engage in distracted driving, we\u2019re providing a list of actions you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re behind the wheel, focus on the road. When you\u2019re focused, you\u2019re not distracted by anything, and you can avoid hazards on the road, which could prevent an accident. You should never try to multitask while you\u2019re driving. Keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need to complete a task, such as text, make a phone call, or pick up an item that was dropped, pull over to a safe location on the road. If you\u2019re on the highway, look for a shoulder of the road that does not interfere with the flow of traffic. You can also wait until you find a rest stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re driving, silence your phone\u2019s notifications so you aren\u2019t distracted or tempted to become distracted by checking your phone and replying to the message. Even if your vehicle supports the hands-free feature, you will still be distracted while driving, you just won\u2019t be holding your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re traveling with someone, ask them for help doing tasks, such as updating you on directions to your destination, changing the radio station, or responding to a text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re traveling with children or pets, don\u2019t respond to certain distractions. If your little one is crying, and requires your attention, pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road that does not obstruct the flow of traffic. Make sure everyone is strapped in their seatbelts and ready to go before pulling off so you don\u2019t have to worry about pulling over later to adjust them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re discussing something intense, save it for when you\u2019re not driving. You should avoid engaging in heated debates or conversations while you\u2019re driving because it distracts you from focusing on the road and can cause an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you hit the road, make sure your feet can comfortably reach the pedals and ensure you\u2019re not overextending your arms to reach the steering wheel. You should also adjust the mirrors, headrest, and seatbelt before pulling off and traveling to your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you embark on any adventures, make sure you\u2019re ready to take on the day. Make sure you\u2019re groomed and apply makeup before leaving your destination. These are not tasks that should be done while driving. If you plan on doing your hair or makeup in the car, wait until you arrive at your destination and the car is parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If driving frustrates you, plan your route before you start driving. Planning your route allows you to choose the route you\u2019ll take to get from one destination to the next with little to no hassle, especially if your goal is to avoid traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If listening to music relaxes you while driving, create your best playlist before driving so you don\u2019t have to worry about changing songs or finding a song to listen to. You should also consider the type of music you\u2019re listening to. Music that makes you aggressive can make you engage in aggressive driving behavior, which could result in a traffic citation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know you\u2019ll be hungry while traveling, eat before you leave. If you plan on getting takeout, don\u2019t eat until you\u2019ve made it home or eat in the parking lot so you can avoid eating and driving. A lot of foods are messy and can cause issues while you\u2019re driving. Eating and driving is also a type of distracted driving, so avoid eating in the car!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019ve been smoking for years or not, smoking while driving can be a distraction, especially if you drop the cigarette while driving. Smoking while driving can also impair your concentration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re traveling down the road or plan on taking a road trip, let your friends and relatives know when you\u2019ll be traveling. When you get a chance, such as stopping at a gas station, rest stop, or reaching your destination, respond to texts and phone calls and give your friends and relatives peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a passenger, don\u2019t bother the driver! The driver\u2019s attention should be on the road and observing their surroundings, which includes other drivers. If you know someone is on their way home, don\u2019t call or text unless it\u2019s an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a driving plan can help give you peace of mind when your loved ones are on the road and it is especially great for teenage drivers. Make sure your driving plan includes essential information about what to do in the event of an accident and how to avoid hazards on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be a safe passenger, you act as the driver\u2019s extra set of eyes and ears. You can do things that help the driver stay focused on driving and keep their eyes on the road, such as replying to text messages, answering phone calls, changing the radio station, and looking up directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing anything that takes your focus off the road and your surroundings while driving is a distraction. Distracted drivers put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk of being involved in an accident. Don\u2019t be a distracted driver! Stay safe and happy driving!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most drivers engage in at least 1 type of distracted driving at some point. Although there are many different types of distracted driving, there are 4 common types of distracted driving that are more prevalent than others. Let\u2019s discuss these types of distracted driving and how to avoid them. What Are the 4 Common Types […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>Technology and Distracted Driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What Impact Do Distracted Drivers Have on Road Safety?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What Is Being Done About Distracted Driving?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>How Does Distracted Driving Impact Auto Insurance Rates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>How to Avoid Distracted Driving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Focus on Driving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Pull Over In a Safe Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Silence Notifications On Your Phone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Ask Passengers for Assistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Don\u2019t Respond to Distractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Engage In Intense Conversations Later<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Adjust Your Seating Before Driving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Make Sure You\u2019re Ready to Go<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Plan Your Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Create Your Playlist Before Leaving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Eat Before You Leave<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Don\u2019t Smoke and Drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Let Others Know You\u2019ll Be On the Road<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Don\u2019t Bother the Driver If You\u2019re a Passenger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Create a Driving Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Be a Safe Passenger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n