What kinds of distracted driving have you noticed?

 Posted on October 08, 2017 in Uncategorized

Driving in the Dallas area can be a challenge at times. Highways and interstates are often heavily laden with traffic, and chances are you have witnessed some close calls. No matter how cautious you are, your best efforts may not be enough to avoid a collision, especially if a distracted driver is in your midst.

Anytime a driver takes hands off the wheel, mind off the task of driving, or eyes away from the road, that driver is distracted.

Texting while driving is known to be the most dangerous form of distracted driving — just as dangerous as drunk driving — but there are other forms of distraction.

These are the most common kinds of distracted driving that make roads in Dallas County unsafe:

• Eating or drinking while driving: crashes occur when people drop hot liquids on themselves; try to brush crumbs off their clothing; try to fix the wrappers of sandwiches; reach for food; and generally focus on eating or drinking more than on driving. This kind of distraction leads to more crashes than you might think.
• As common as it is, the same goes for smoking. It can be extremely dangerous to reach for a cigarette lighter, snuff out a cigarette or rummage through a pocketbook or glove box for matches. All these activities take a driver's focus off the road.
• Talking on hands-free devices: this is believed by many to be an effective preventer of accidents, but a variety of studies have shown that not to be the case. People become cognitively distracted whether they use handheld or hands-free devices behind the wheel.

The long-awaited statewide ban on texting while driving is in effect in Texas.

Texting while driving is now illegal statewide in Texas, but that hasn't stopped everyone from doing it. You probably don't have to look far to see someone breaking the law by texting while operating a vehicle.

If one of these drivers injures you, you need to be aware of your options for getting the full compensation you deserve. With that in mind, it's important to be aware that the insurance company is not on your side — and will look for ways to minimize or even deny coverage of your injury. To learn more, please see our motor vehicle accident overview.