How Distraction Causes Auto Accidents

by Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated October 27, 2021 In Car Accident

You’ve probably heard all about the dangers of distracted driving. Many safety organizations and law enforcement agencies describe it as an epidemic that affects all drivers due to how many people text behind the wheel. But do you know exactly how and why distracted driving causes crashes?

Here are a few reasons that taking your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task at hand can cause a crash:

• You can drift into another vehicle or off the road entirely.

If you’re traveling 50 mph, you’ll traverse the length of a football field in the time it takes to send or read a text message. Think about how far that is and how, if your vehicle is drifting even one degree outside of your lane, you’ll be traveling towards a ditch or even the front-end of another car while you’re texting.

• You can lose control of your vehicle.

When you take your hands off the wheel of your vehicle for even a second, it can be enough to lose control of it. You should always keep a firm grip on your steering wheel with both hands, and if you need to reach for something, pull over in a safe location first.

• You can fail to react in time.

Some distracted driving crashes occur when drivers’ eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel. However, their minds aren’t focused on driving. When you’re preoccupied with something else, you may not be aware of your surroundings and fail to react to avoid a collision.

Being aware of distracted driving dangers can help you reduce your risks of causing a crash, but not all drivers are safety-conscious. If you’re hurt by a distracted driver, the Nashville auto accident lawyers at Ponce Law can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.