Why Is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?

 Posted on July 15, 2024 in Auto Accidents

Did you know that approximately 10,652 of the 295,888 Illinois motor vehicle crashes in 2021 involved a distracted driver? Those accidents injured 4,102 people and killed 11. If you think distracted driving is not dangerous, think again.

If a distracted driving accident injured you, you may qualify to seek compensation. An experienced auto accident attorney can help.

What Is Distracted Driving?

To be a safe driver, you need to keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind focused on the act of driving. There are three basic categories of distractions:

• Cognitive: Thoughts that do not pertain to driving

• Manual: Actions that take your hand off the wheel

• Visual: Sights that take your eyes away from the road

Some distractions, such as hands-on cell phone use, involve all three categories. Other common distractions include:

• Eating, drinking, and smoking

• Daydreaming

• Interacting with children, pets, and other passengers

• Searching for objects inside your vehicle

• Manipulating dash controls, such as climate or audio

While searching for your sunglasses in your bag might not sound dangerous, even a few seconds of inattention can delay your reaction time. That momentary distraction can cause an accident.

What Is Driving Reaction Time?

There are several steps involved in reacting to a hazard while driving. First, you must see something, and then you need to realize that what you see is dangerous. Next, you have to decide how to react; you might need to adjust your speed or alter your steering.

When you begin to react, whether by pressing the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel, your vehicle needs additional time to respond to your input. While your reaction time might be only a few seconds, a lot can happen during that time because your car continues to travel while you are distracted. A child can run into the road, you might swerve into another lane, or you could round a curve with standstill traffic straight ahead. Every second counts when reacting to traffic conditions, and a distraction can cause you to lose too much time.

Suppose you are driving at 60 mph. In just one second, you will travel 88 feet. It is vitally important for drivers to avoid distractions to reduce the likelihood of causing an accident.

Would You Drive With Your Eyes Closed?

At least one driver was using their phone in 19 percent of the 2021 fatal distracted driving accidents in Illinois. It takes approximately five seconds to read or send a text. Because you would not be looking at the road, texting while driving at 55 miles per hour is similar to crossing the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Most people would not consider driving with closed eyes, but many do not think twice about driving while distracted. Unfortunately, many people suffer needless injuries due to their negligence.

Request Your Free Consultation With an Experienced Kane County, IL Distracted Driving Attorney

Proving that the driver who caused your accident was distracted can be challenging if you do not have an experienced distracted driving accident lawyer on your side. Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. is home to several Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers, and we want to help you seek justice.

Call 630-907-0909 today to request your free consultation with a competent Aurora, IL auto accident lawyer.