There are hundreds of car crashes per day in California. While there are many reasons for these incidents, one cause stands above all the rest. While its difficult to say how many lives have been changed by this type of driving, state organizations suggest it might be a factor in as many as 80% of all California car crashes.
What is the #1 cause of California car accidents? Distracted driving.
Three Kinds
The most important thing to know about distracted driving is that it isn’t limited to the cellphone. Cellphones have a bad reputation as the main cause of distracted driving, but they are just one of a thousand distractions facing California drivers.
Most distracted driving experts agree that there are three kinds of driving distractions, all affecting a different part of the brain.
· Manual Distraction: A manual distraction is anything that causes a driver to take their hands off the wheel. It might be as simple as adjusting the radio or reaching for a drink.
· Visual Distraction: Visual distractions are those that take a driver’s eyes away from the road. Whether it’s staring at a billboard or looking back at the kids, it puts drivers at an enormous risk of causing a rear-ending accident.
· Cognitive Distraction: A cognitive distraction is anything that causes a driver to lose their mental focus. The most common example, by far, is daydreaming to the point of losing control of the vehicle.
Triple Threat
Some of the most dangerous instances of distracted driving are “triple threats.” These are things that comprise all three types of distractions. A cellphone is probably the best example. Using a cellphone requires that someone take their hands off the wheel, their eyes off the road, and their mind away from their own safety.
Some might think voice-dictation makes them safer, as it avoids a portion of the triple threat. The truth is that the mental strain is so great that voice dictation just as dangerous as physically texting.
The message is clear. Every driver must do three things: Keep their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their minds sharp and focused, always thinking about those around their vehicle.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a distracted driving accident, we are here for you. If you’d like an experienced attorney from Delfino Green & Green to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call 415-442-4646.