Getting behind the wheel for the first time is an exciting experience for any new driver. After all, freedom and independence are now at your fingertips. However, as anxious as you might be to hit the road, knowing how to stay safe is also a key component for getting to your destination. Distracted driving is one of the most common problems found among teen motorists. So, it’s up to you to know what it looks like and how to prevent it while you’re in control. These are the different types of distracted driving and why they’re each such a threat.
Visual Distraction
A visual distraction is anything that temporarily pulls your eyes away from the road. This could be something as small as briefly checking your map or as large as reading a text. Either way, your eyes aren’t processing what’s going on around you, reducing your ability to notice hazards and respond to them in time. Always keep all potential visual distractions, like your cellphone, turned off and out of sight.
Manual Distraction
Manual distractions, on the other hand, are actions that you must take your hands off the wheel to perform. Texting someone back, drinking, and searching through your bag are all within this category. Even if your eyes continuously dart back to the road, your reaction time is severely impaired. Plus, you waste valuable time just getting your hands back into the steering position. For this reason, it’s vital that you keep your hands on the wheel at all times so that you can properly control the car.
Cognitive Distraction
The last type of distracted driving is cognitive distraction. These are distractions that take your overall focus and concentration off of driving. Talking to other passengers, experiencing road rage, and, yes, texting, are all common examples of this. So, when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel, finding ways to keep yourself focused on the task at hand will be crucial to your success.
As mentioned before, distracted driving is a serious problem among teens. But knowing what some common distractors are can save you from a dangerous accident. Reaching out to a legal professional for advice can also help you protect yourself from distracted individuals that put you at risk.