We often hear of Atlanta car crashes being caused by someone talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. While these actions are certainly dangerous, they are only one form of a much larger problem: distracted driving.
Distracted driving is performing non-driving tasks while operating a motor vehicle. These can range from talking to a passenger, fiddling with the radio, or even taking a sip of coffee. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that distracted driving contributes to over 8,000 crashes every single day:
The biggest reason these distractions cause problems is that the driver believes he is in control of the vehicle and doesn’t realize how much attention he has taken off the road. As a result, a simple action can cause only seconds of lost control—and those seconds can result in fender-benders, serious injuries, or even death.
All of the following have caused distracted driving crashes in Atlanta:
- Loose objects. We live in our cars, so it’s only natural to have everyday objects floating around in them. Soda cans, papers, coins, an overloaded purse—anything that has the potential to move around unexpectedly can cause distraction.
- Children. While any passenger can demand your attention, AAA estimates that young children are four times more distracting than adults. Infants are eight times more distracting.
- Fatigue. Drowsy driving is another main cause of crashes—but even slight sleepiness can be a distraction. If you feel yourself responding slowly or “zoning out,” always pull over and wait 10 to 15 minutes before resuming your journey.
- Food and drinks. Many fast-paced commuters cannot live without their morning, to-go coffee. Many drink-related accidents can be avoided by making sure lids are on securely and your car’s cup holder will grasp your beverage tightly (even on sharp turns). Eating, however, is much more dangerous, since it requires you to remove both hands from the wheel.
- Grooming. You may think it goes without saying, but many crashes are caused by people doing at-home tasks in the car while running late. Such drivers have been applying makeup, brushing their hair, shaving—even brushing their teeth behind the wheel.
As experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyers, we know that there is no way to control the behavior of other drivers. The only way we can protect our loved ones from a Georgia car wreck is to drive as safely as possible every time we get behind the wheel—and to hold drivers who do not do so accountable for their actions.
If someone in your family was injured by a distracted driver in Atlanta, we can help you seek compensation for your suffering. Call Shane Smith today at (980) 246-2656 for a free consultation. For vital information on your case, order our FREE book, 10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case.