Distracted driving is one of the biggest issues in North Carolina and around the country. The fact is that many drivers don’t see their action as qualifying as a distraction. One of the most common distractions that seem harmless is changing the car radio. However, this action could take long enough for drivers to travel the length of an entire football field while distracted. This is just one example of why fiddling around with the car radio is such a dangerous distraction.
The statistics behind this distraction
Being distracted by the car radio isn’t just potentially dangerous but could be deadly. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 3,328 drivers were killed in 2012 after being distracted. Although not all these deaths came from radio use, adjusting music was one of the most common distractions.
The three characteristics of distraction
The way the U.S. Department of Transportation characterizes distractions is if the distraction impedes your vision, mind and hands. Focusing your attention on the radio fits all three characteristics and thus is dangerous. Visually, you are removing your eyes from any potential dangers on the road. Your mind begins to focus on the station or song that you want, and one of your hands is not handling the vehicle.
Auditory issues
Even after you’re done focusing on the radio, the danger is still not over. A motor vehicle accident may still occur if you cannot hear what’s going on around you. Loud music may prevent you from hearing emergency vehicles or construction in the distance.
As you may be able to tell from the information above, distracted drivers are common on the road. If you are the victim of distracted driving, a professional attorney’s services may be able to help you recover compensation to pay for your injuries.
