- Visual: Taking your eyes off of the road
- Manual: Using hands for anything besides steering the vehicle
- Cognitive: Thinking about things other than driving
All three types of distraction increase the risk of serious or fatal car accidents. All three should be avoided by drivers who care about their lives and the lives of others. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, use the form on this page to get in touch and learn how we can help.
Examples of Distracted Driving
The most commonly cited driving distraction is the cellphone. Ubiquitous, these devices are a constant distraction and may be best silenced or turned off while driving.
Cellphone use goes far beyond texting – which is illegal to do while driving in California – to include browsing, making and receiving calls, and even using the device for GPS. Cellphone use is particularly dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction. It is no wonder, then, that cellphone use is a factor in over 1.5 million crashes every year.
Cellphones are far from the only common distraction that drivers give into, however. Other prime examples include:
- Eating and drinking
- Personal grooming
- Map and GPS use
- Adjusting music or the radio
- Talking to passengers
There is some belief that on-board electronics that are voice-controlled are somehow safer than handheld devices. Studies have found that this simply is not true. It remains dangerous to use voice-activated technology while driving due to the cognitive and visual attention (checking for errors, etc.) that these devices require.
To be clear: there is absolutely no safe level of distraction and each instance of distracted driving endangers everyone on the road.
Have You Been Injured?
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident? You may have options when it comes to collecting damages. Before you settle with an insurance agent, give us a call at 949-502-8600 to schedule a free case review at our Irvine office and learn about your rights.
The Cifarelli Law Firm proudly serves Santa Anna, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas of Orange County.
