If you ask people what types of activities constitute distracted driving, they will probably give you specific examples. These could include things like texting and driving, eating and drinking, changing the radio station, or talking to children or passengers.
While all of these are examples, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tends to put most distracted driving activities into three broad categories. These are manual distractions, visual distractions and cognitive distractions. Some activities, such as texting and driving, can fit into all of the different categories.
Physical distractions
To start with, a physical distraction could include taking a cellphone out of a pocket, holding it in one hand or typing out a text message. Doing this requires the driver to take at least one hand off the steering wheel, if not both.
Visual distractions
While texting, the driver will likely glance down at the screen, which makes it a visual distraction. They are not looking at the road ahead of them. Other visual distractions include turning to talk to passengers or lifting a cup of coffee to take a drink.
Mental distractions
Finally, texting and driving is a cognitive distraction because the driver is thinking about the text that they are reading or what they want to write in their message. They may also be thinking about how to manipulate the phone, such as how to open the texting app. They should be thinking only about driving the car.
As you can see, a simple activity like sending a text message can be far more distracting than many drivers realize. If you have been injured in an accident that one of them caused, you need to know how to seek appropriate financial compensation.
