Forms of Distracted Driving in Louisiana
Distracted driving is a serious problem that results in catastrophic and deadly crashes in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 9 people are killed in distracted driving crashes each day in the US alone. While many people often assume that talking or texting on a smartphone is the reason for distracted driving collisions, it is essential to know that distractions behind the wheel take many different forms. Indeed, as an NSC spokesperson explains, “using a mobile device while driving is the ultimate form of distraction, but distraction comes in many forms.”
You should know that any type of distraction that leads to a collision may mean that the distracted driver is liable for any injuries that occur in the wreck. Our Shreveport distracted driving lawyers can tell you more about the three major types of distractions that cause crashes in Louisiana.
Visual Distractions
The term “visual distraction” refers to any type of distraction that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, even for just a moment or second. Visual distractions behind the wheel can take many different forms, including reading an email or a text message on your phone, looking at the vehicle navigation system, making eye contact with a passenger in the front passenger seat or rear seat, looking for an item in a bag or the glove compartment, looking in the rearview mirror to check hair or makeup, and more.
Manual Distractions
The term “manual distraction” means any distraction that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel. Manual distractions may include, for example, reaching for a phone to send or to read a text, reaching for an object in another part of the vehicle, making a change to the music or navigation system, holding a drink or food item while driving, or grooming in the car.
Cognitive Distractions
A “cognitive distraction” is any kind of distraction that takes a driver’s mind away from the task of driving — even if it is brief or only in part. To be clear, a driver may be cognitively distracted while looking at the road and while keeping both hands on the wheel. Examples of cognitive distractions include thinking about an issue at work or at home, or talking to a passenger in the vehicle or through a Bluetooth device.
It is important to understand that many distracting behaviors involve multiple forms of distraction (i.e., a driver may be visually and manually distracted at the same time, or even engaged in all three forms of distraction while doing a single task such as reading a text message, which could take the driver’s eyes, hands, and mind off the task of driving safely).
Contact a Shreveport Distracted Driving Injury Attorney
Were you injured by a distracted driver, or was someone you love killed in a crash caused by a driver who was distracted behind the wheel? One of the experienced Shreveport distracted driving injury lawyers at Rice & Kendig, LLC can talk with you today about your case and can discuss your options for filing an insurance claim or pursuing a civil lawsuit against the distracted driver or another relevant party. Distracted driving can alter lives in ways that often feel irreparable, but our firm can help you to seek the compensation you need and to hold the distracted driver accountable so that you can begin to get your life back. Contact us today for more information about the services we provide to injury victims in Louisiana.
Sources:
nsc.org/newsroom/distracted-driving-deadly-dangerous-for-all-road-u
injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/distracted-driving/
