Most cars on the road today weigh between 2,900 pounds and 5,600 pounds, with tractor-trailers tipping the scales at up to 80,000 pounds. Consequently, it is not difficult to understand why a collision with a car, truck, SUV or semi-truck may leave you with catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
Distracted driving is exceedingly risky. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving caused more than 3,100 traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2019 alone.
4 types of distracted driving
Even though smartphone usage behind the wheel is certainly a problem in Tennessee and across the country, other types of distractions may lead to deadly collisions. Here are four of them:
- Visual distractions, where drivers take their eyes off the road
- Auditory distractions, where drivers listen to something other than driving-related sounds
- Mental distractions, where drivers let their minds wander
- Manual distractions, where drivers use their hands or feet to perform non-driving functions
Your safety strategy
Just as most cars are safer now than ever, there are more ways to distract yourself when you are in your vehicle. To stay safe, you may need a multi-pronged strategy that includes the following:
- Stashing your smartphone until you reach your destination
- Waiting to eat fast food
- Listening to low- or moderate-tempo music at a reasonable volume
- Keeping your hands on the steering wheel
- Focusing on your car, traffic and the road
Even though you can take steps to avoid distracted driving, you have no control over what other motorists do. Ultimately, if you are in a collision with a distracted driver, you may need to pursue financial compensation to help you recover from your injuries.