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4 common causes of distracted driving

On Behalf of | Mar 29, 2023 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury

Most drivers know they should keep their eyes on the road when driving. However, certain situations make it easy for them to forget to maintain 100 percent focus on driving.

According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), over 3,140 people died in distraction-related crashes, a one-percent increase from 3,119 deaths in 2019. There are several common causes of distracted driving, and here are four of them:

1. Talking or texting on the phone

In Virginia, drivers cannot use a cell phone while driving unless it’s during an emergency, and they have to be parked while using it per Code of Virginia Section 46.2-818.2. The fine for a first offense is $125, and it’s $250 for the second offense. Regardless, some drivers try to flout the law by texting or talking while driving anyway.

2. Stress

Some individuals stress over something while driving, either an event from their past or something in the future. They can be so overwhelmed that their mind might wander off, meaning they miss what’s happening around them.

3. GPS use

Using GPS on errands, commute routes and road trips is so commonplace that hardly anyone consults paper maps anymore. But, as convenient as they are, they can pose a danger while driving. For instance, a driver turning their head from the road to glance at their GPS might not see someone braking in front of them.

4. Last-minute grooming

Some drivers attempt to apply makeup or trim facial hair while driving to work. They’ll look at themselves in the mirror when they should look out for others.

The roads would be so much safer if all drivers followed road rules and took precautions. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If you or a loved one got injured due to someone’s distracted driving, consider legal guidance to aid you in your case.

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