Cellphones cause numerous car accidents in the United States. One of the most effective ways to reduce injuries and fatalities on the road would be if people simply didn’t use their phones while driving. Many states have enacted laws to make texting and driving illegal, but it still happens.
But why are cellphones so inherently dangerous? They’re certainly not the only cause of distraction — drivers can get distracted by passengers, music, pets and much more. Here are two main reasons why cellphones are such a hazard.
3 types of distraction
For one thing, a cellphone creates visual, manual and cognitive distractions, all at the same time. These are the three main categories of distraction recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: visual, cognitive and physical. The driver looks at the phone screen, thinks about the content and physically manipulates the device. Because they are distracted in these three separate ways, accidents can happen even if the driver tries to alleviate some of the distractions – such as by glancing up at the road periodically.
Constant use
Another reason why cellphones are so problematic is because they are constantly in use in one way or another. It’s not just texting and driving that’s an issue. A driver choosing a new song to listen to is distracted, as is a driver who looks down to check their GPS app. Because people use phones for so many reasons, it’s likely that they will get distracted by them at some point.
Have you been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver? If so, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.