The advancements in technology are truly amazing; one example is the cell phone. People can now send text messages, make phone calls, take pictures, watch videos, and use a navigation system all through a phone. It is a major technological advancement, but it comes with certain dangers, mainly while a person is operating a vehicle.

Types of Distracted Driving

When it comes to distracted driving, three specific categories can cause a potential accident.

The first is a visual distraction; an example is when someone takes their eyes off the road to read a text message on their phone. The next is a manual distraction which happens anytime a person takes their hands off their steering wheel to grab their phone. The last is a cognitive distraction. This happens when a person is focused on something they read on their phone instead of driving.

Why Distracted Driving Is Dangerous

With everything a person can do on a cell phone, the most dangerous thing they can do while driving is send a text message. 

Sending a text is not as simple as it sounds. First, it requires a lot of a person’s attention. They are not only looking at their phone but also thinking about what they will send and then typing it out. This means their eyes are off the road, and their hands are on the steering wheel to send a message. The time it takes to read a text message is about five seconds. This may not seem like a long time, but when a person is driving fifty-five miles per hour, it only takes a few seconds for a quick glance to turn into a major vehicle accident.

The Consequences of Distracted Driving

Besides the car accident and potential fatality that comes with texting while driving, there are other consequences for a person to consider.

One more significant consequence is that their insurance cost could go up. When people choose to put themselves and those around them in danger by texting and driving, they will have to accept that their insurance will become more expensive. This does not only occur if there is an accident, either. If a person is pulled over for using their phone while driving, they may receive a ticket to increase their insurance.

There are also legal consequences to consider. For example, if an accident occurs and someone from the other vehicle is hurt, they will most likely contact an Injury attorney to receive financial compensation for their injuries. However, if no other vehicle was involved in the crash, there might still be property damage that they will have to pay for or injure themselves. 

How to Prevent Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be prevented by simply staying focused on the road. However, when someone gets behind the wheel, they must stay alert and drive defensively. Many cell phones today have the option to set their phones into driving mode, preventing notifications from being sent while driving.

There is no way they can control their vehicle while also using another device, and no text message is more important than staying focused on the road and preventing a potentially fatal accident.