On Minnesota roadways, the number one priority is safety. Some of the biggest dangers on the road are distractions. According to the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving caused more than 3,000 deaths in 2017. This is a serious problem among drivers. If you feel as though you can multitask on the road, you may want to reconsider because you could be involved in driving while distracted. The following is what you need to know about distracted driving.
A lot of people take part in various activities that may distract them from the road. In fact, most drivers probably do. This does not make it less dangerous, however. Distracted driving involves any action or activity that will take your attention from the road ahead. When you look away from the road for five seconds, you can drive a football field’s length in that time. Imagine blindfolding yourself and driving for a football field. A lot can happen in that time. You cannot predict what can happen ahead of you. A car could suddenly stop or an animal could race in front of your vehicle.
The most common activities that distract drivers include:
- Phone calls
- Texting
- Playing with the radio
- Fiddling with the GPS
- Eating
These may seem like innocuous activities but they have real consequences for yourself and other drivers on the road. Any activity that steals your focus and attention from the road is an activity that can wait until you are safe.
The above information is meant for educational purposes. It is not to be used as legal advice.