According to the US government, 25 percent of road accidents and fatalities in the US are caused by distracted drivers. To reduce this number, West Virginia has made it illegal to text or use a handheld cellphone while driving. Here are the 5 most common causes of distracted driving.
1.Deep Thought. It’s easy for your mind to wander when you’re driving. You might start thinking about dinner, chores, or how many errands you have to run. Any thought can pop into your mind and distract your attention away from driving.
2.Using a Cellphone. Talking on a handheld cellphone or manually texting while driving is a recipe for disaster. Cellphones offer further distractions by making it possible to watch videos, read emails, or access social media while driving. In spite of laws against these activities, many drivers still behave in such risky behavior.
3.Watching an event, object, or person. Paying close attention to things outside the car is a major distraction. Very few people can drive past an accident without trying to see what happened. It’s also easy to get distracted by people in other vehicles or on the side of the road. All of these things distract your attention from driving your vehicle.
4.Passengers. Your passengers can easily take your attention off the road. Talkative passengers, backseat drivers, children, and even pets can cause distractions. Even one second spent paying attention to a passenger can result in a collision.
5.Reaching for Items in the Vehicle. Reaching for an item in your vehicle is just as distracting as using it. Trying to retrieve a dropped cellphone takes your eyes off the road. Reaching for a piece of candy, the radio, or some other gadget can lead to a major collision.
West Virginia is serious about preventing distracted driving. But if you’ve suffered because of one of these accidents, the Charleston WV personal injury attorneys at Freeman & Chiartas can help. We have years of experience working on personal injury cases resulting from distracted driving accidents. For a personal injury lawyer Charleston WV residents contact Freeman & Chiartas for a free consultation.