Drivers have a duty to stay focused on their driving abilities. One of the issues that can occur is distraction. A driver who’s distracted can miss critical situations that they need to respond to.
Crashes with other vehicles can easily occur on congested highways if the driver isn’t paying close attention to what’s going on around them. Some drivers might find it beneficial to brush up a bit on distracted driving. Consider these two points:
1. Distractions come in various forms
Many people automatically think of phone usage when they hear about distracted driving, but that’s not the only cause. Anything that takes the driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road or mind off driving is a distraction. Some actions encompass more than one of those. Even looking at billboards, talking to other passengers, caring for children or taking a bite of a burger can distract a driver.
2. Short distractions can be deadly
All distractions must be avoided. Even short distractions can lead to catastrophic or fatal crashes. A vehicle that’s moving at 55 miles per hour moves the full length of a football field in just five seconds. This means that if a driver is distracted for five seconds, the vehicle is essentially without a driver for that distance.
Victims of distracted driving crashes can suffer from catastrophic injuries that require considerable medical care. This can be costly, so they may opt to pursue a compensation claim from the liable parties. Florida law sets time limits to file personal injury claims, so victims must work swiftly after the incident if they’re going to file the lawsuit.