What is Distracted Driving?
We’ve all seen it. Someone is driving while looking at their phone. It can be extremely frustrating and extremely dangerous. In 2020, 10,166 crashes involved a Colorado distracted driver, resulting in 1,476 injuries and 68 deaths. Even with these life-threatening consequences, more than 90% of Colorado drivers self-report driving distracted. source
Distracted driving is when a driver is not paying full attention to the road while driving. It’s a big problem and can cause accidents that hurt people. Let’s learn more about what distracted driving is and how we can all stay safe on the road.
What Causes Distracted Driving?
There are three main types of distractions:
- Visual Distractions: These happen when a driver takes their eyes off the road. This could mean looking at a phone. It might involve checking GPS or talking on a cell phone. It can also include looking at things outside the car.
- Manual Distractions: These occur when a driver takes their hands off the steering wheel. For example, eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio can cause manual distractions.
- Cognitive Distractions: These happen when a driver’s mind is not focused on driving. Daydreaming, thinking about work, or having an intense conversation, text messages can lead to cognitive distractions.
Why is Distracted Driving Dangerous?
Distracted driving is dangerous because it takes your attention away from the road. When a driver gets distracted, even for a few seconds, the distraction can lead to accidents. For example, if a driver is texting and doesn’t see a car stopping in front of them, they might crash. These accidents can hurt or even kill people.
How Can We Prevent Distracted Driving?
Here are some simple ways to avoid distracted driving:
- Put your phone away: If you need to use your phone, pull over to a safe spot.
- Set up your GPS before driving: Make sure you know where you’re going before you start driving.
- Don’t eat or drink while driving: It’s safer to eat or drink when you’re not driving.
- Stay focused: Keep your mind on driving and pay attention to what’s happening on the road.
If this is an issue you are passionate about, see what the state of Colorado is doing to help limit distracted driving. Shift into Safe is the name of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s traffic safety brand. They have launched ad campaigns to
Why is it Important to Avoid Distracted Driving?
By avoiding distractions, we can make the roads safer for everyone. Remember, when you’re driving, your number one job is to drive safely. By staying focused, you can help prevent accidents and protect yourself and others.
About Our Client
We recently represented a young man who was riding a motorcycle and hit by a distracted driver. The driver was looking at her Google maps. The accident was horrific that it left the young man paralyzed for life. All it takes is one second for a driver to look away for someone’s life to be ruined.
Fortunately, we have been able to help this man and his family.
Call Jordan Law For a Free Consultation
Call Jordan Law’s car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’re always free to speak to and if you don’t want to hire us for any reason, we’ll give you the names of other firms we respect to treat you with dignity and professionalism.
At Jordan Law, we are here to help you through this difficult time. We also serve clients in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Durango, Grand Junction and elsewhere across Colorado.