The 5 Most Common Causes Of Distracted Driving

In 2019 alone, more than 3,100 lives were lost thanks to distracted driving. With the help of a wrongful death attorney in Washington DC, families can honor loved ones lost to distracted driving. As we move toward increasingly connected everyday lives, these numbers are expected to continue to rise for the foreseeable future. The 5 most common causes of distracted driving are: 

1. GPS – One would think that a device developed to make driving easier wouldn’t also make it more dangerous. However, fiddling with a GPS while driving is just as risky as texting but often not thought of in the same way. GPS programming should always be done while parked, and drivers should pull over to make any GPS adjustments instead of trying while in motion. 

2. Adjusting the radio or controls – Anything that takes your eyes off of the road is a risk, and this includes quick tasks like adjusting the radio or controls within the vehicle. If you must adjust controls or change the radio station, it’s better to wait to do so until you’re safely stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. 

3. Chatting with passengers – Road trips might be more fun with passengers, but they can also be risky if passengers take away from your attention on the road. It’s okay to talk with passengers, but the road ahead should always have your full attention.

4. Handling pets and children – Both pets and children can be unpredictable, and this can cause potentially dangerous distractions while driving. Handing out snacks, calming a barking dog, settling sibling conflicts, or checking for an “accident” takes both your sight and your attention away from the traffic around you. While handling pets and children can sometimes be unavoidable, it’s best to always remember that your main focus should be on road safety.

5. Cell phones – Distracted driving incidents have skyrocketed since mobile phones have become a normal part of our everyday lives, and it’s grown even more as smartphones have replaced the mobile phones of old. Replying to a quick text, making a call, accessing your cell phone GPS, and even accessing social media can put you in a potentially deadly situation very quickly. To resist temptation, locking a cell phone in the trunk is a great way to ensure no smartphone contributes to risky distracted driving.

Distracted driving accidents can be severe and even fatal, and a wrongful death attorney in Washington DC can help families of those lost to navigate getting the compensation they need to cope and heal.