What Is a Physical Distraction When Driving?
Cellphones are a common form of distracted driving. So much so, that mobile devices are often the first thing that pops into people’s heads when they are discussing distracted driving. And yes, devices are a problem, but they are not the only form of distracted driving. Many accidents occur because of drivers attempting to multitask or because their attention is pulled away from the road due to a physical distraction.
Any shift in a driver’s attention creates risks for everyone on the road. After a Florida car accident, your best bet is to contact a Miami car accident lawyer. Experienced attorneys know how to build the right strategy to win a case.
Types of Physical Distractions
Any activity that has a driver taking their hands off the wheel, or moving their body away from the task of driving, is a physical distraction. There are also mental distractions when driving, things that shift a person’s focus away, attention that is needed for safe driving to happen. Both physical and mental distractions can cause accidents.
Mental distractions can occur even when a person has their hands and eyes in a proper driving position. A mental distraction is when a person’s mind is focused on something else. With improper focus, dangers cannot be assessed and accidents can occur.
Examples of physical and mental distractions:
- Drinking beverages or eating food.
- Looking around the car for something, or feeling the floor or seats for an item.
- Putting on make-up.
- Having discussions with passengers or gesturing to others in the vehicle.
- Adjusting settings on the dashboard, from climate controls to music.
- Obsessing over a recent event and being emotionally pulled away from the moment.
- Overly focusing on a story, from an individual talking or a podcast.
- Turning to read an ad on the side of the road.
- Disciplining children or checking on kids in the backseat and taking eyes off of driving.
- Rubbernecking when there is an accident on the side of the road.
Focus on Driving, Do Not Attempt to Multitask
The best way to perform a job well is to focus on one thing at a time. Too often, people believe they can efficiently multitask. But just because driving is a natural activity for many adults who have driven for years, paying attention is still essential.
If a driver decides they are familiar with their surroundings and are able to take a moment to unwrap a sandwich, their mind has shifted from one task to another. Moving your attention away from driving means if a danger suddenly appears, there may not be time to avoid the risk before impact.
Were you driving in Miami when a distracted driver collided with your vehicle? Discuss your situation with the Florida personal injury attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law. If you were not the at-fault driver, you should not have to pay out of pocket for hefty expenses. But in order for compensation to be possible, you need a lawyer on your side. Contact us today at 305-423-3800 to schedule your free consultation.
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