Many drivers know that distracted driving causes accidents, and they take some steps to avoid it. For instance, a responsible driver will mute their cellphone and put it in their pocket while driving. They know that cellphone-related distractions cause thousands of accidents every year.
But the important thing to remember is that there are many different types of driving distractions. Even something as simple as eating or drinking in the car can be a serious hazard. However, this is something people do on a consistent basis—such as a driver who drinks coffee every day during their morning commute. Just avoiding cellphone use isn’t always enough to be a safe driver.
Multiple levels of distraction
One thing to keep in mind is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize three main types of driving distractions: Manual distractions, cognitive distractions and physical distractions.
Eating and drinking can check multiple boxes. For instance, it’s a manual distraction if a driver is holding a bagel or a cup of coffee in their hand. But as they tip that coffee cup back to take a drink, it blocks their vision, making it a visual distraction as well.
Some foods are certainly worse than others. Anything that can spill—such as coffee, tea or soup—is especially hazardous. An unexpected spill could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, driving off the road or into oncoming traffic.
Distracted driving accidents
It is important to avoid distractions when you get in the car, but you could also be injured in an accident caused by another driver. If so, take the time to look into your legal options to seek financial compensation.