Top 5 Driver Distractions while Operating a Motor Vehicle

Distracted driving occurs when a motorist is not giving their complete attention to the road, other vehicles, and signs along the roadway. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three types of distracted driving exist:

1. Manual distraction: when a driver adjusts the radio, reaches for an item, pets their dog. etc. by removing their hands from the wheel.
2. Visual distraction: when a driver rubber necks by an accident, checks text message(s), looks at their kids in the back seat, etc. by taking their eyes off the road.
3. Cognitive distraction: when a driver daydreams, thinks about personal issues, considers their grocery list. etc. by taking their mind off of driving.

These distractions may seem fairly innocuous, but a lot can happen in an instant. In fact, reading just one text while driving 55 mph is like driving a full football field length with your eyes off the road!

Check out some of the devastating statistics around distracted driving:

• 55% of motorists talk on the phone while driving, even though it might be hands free
• 25% of motorists feel pressured to respond to work-related messages while driving
• 31% of drivers are distracted by their dogs in the car
• Distracted driving costs society $40 billion a year
• Drivers can look for up to $500 in fines for a distracted driving offense
• 87% of motorists are parents distracted by young children when driving
• 40% of drivers browse social media while driving