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Different types of distracted driving

On Behalf of | Mar 29, 2023 | Personal Injury

While we know that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in Mississippi, it’s important to note that not all instances of distracted driving are created equally. Motorists, pedestrians, and countless others are impacted by distracted driving every day. It’s important to know about the different types of distracted driving to ensure that you’re not making the roads unsafe for yourself and others.

Visual distractions

Anything that takes your eyes off the road is a visual distraction. While cell phones get a lot of blame for creating visual distractions in motor vehicle accidents, there are plenty of other types. Large tube dancers, flashing billboards, or a distracting passenger in your car are all visual distractions.

Auditory distractions

As the name implies, auditory distractions are those that impact your hearing. Loud music, honking horns, and noisy passengers in your vehicle can create distractions. One of the most dangerous aspects of auditory distractions is how easily they become visual distractions.

Manual distractions

Undoubtedly, you’ve read and heard studies about the dangers of texting while driving. Using a cell phone is certainly the most common type of manual distraction, but it’s not the only kind. Eating, drinking, and changing radio stations all cause drivers to take their hands from the wheels.

Lack of focus

Sometimes referred to as cognitive distractions, the distractions that take your focus off the road are among the most dangerous. Daydreaming, common on long road trips, talking to other passengers, and singing along with the radio all require you to shift your focus from driving to whatever you’re doing.

America’s highways are hazardous, largely because of the number of vehicles on them. One of the most responsible, selfless things you can do is avoiding distracted driving in all its forms.