Distracted Driving Doesn’t Just Involve Your Eyes

by Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated June 9, 2021 In Car Accident

For many people, the phrase “distracted driving” is synonymous with cell phone usage behind the wheel. And for good reason—smartphones are omnipresent in our lives, and it’s all too easy to sneak a quick glance at yours to check an email, send a text message, or even browse a website. But it’s possible to be dangerously distracted without ever taking your eyes off the road.

In addition to visual distractions, there are two other types of distractions that can be extremely dangerous:

• Manual distraction—This type of distraction occurs when you take your hands off the wheel. It’s common when you’re reaching for something in your glove box, center console, passenger seat, floorboard, or backseat. Even though your eyes are on the road, the fact that your hands aren’t means you can’t react in time to avoid a crash.
• Cognitive distraction—It’s entirely possibly to have your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and still be distracted! That’s because you can daydream or “drift off” while driving, which means that you aren’t actually processing what’s happening in front of and around you. Chatting with passengers and even experiencing “highway hypnosis” are examples of this.

When you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, driving safely should your biggest—and only—priority. It’s easy to take driving for granted, but it’s a complex task that requires hundreds of small adjustments, decisions, and reactions every minute. And even minor distractions can make it harder to perform those tasks, putting you at great risk of a crash.

The Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law know that distracted driving is an epidemic in TN, and we hold those drivers accountable when they cause crashes. Contact us today for a free consultation if you or someone you love was harmed by a negligent driver