You are probably like most other average California residents who have never before played a real game of Russian roulette. Most people avoid life-or-death activities like these although many have witnessed suspenseful movie scenes or heard tales of long ago real-life situations that caused their hair to stand on end. Some say driving on busy roadways throughout this state is similar to taking a high-risk chance at Russian roulette.
Gone are the days when families venture out for leisurely drives at casual speeds with very little safety risks. Nowadays, the menacing presence of distracted drivers may be enough to make you wonder if you’ll reach your destination unscathed. There are three main types of distracted motor vehicle operation that can threaten your safety no matter how cautious and alert you are behind the wheel.
Watch out for signs of trouble!
Most driving distractions fall under one of the following categories: visual, manual or cognitive. Knowing what to look for in other motorists may help you avoid collision. The following list explains what kinds of distractions are typically associated with each type:
- Visual: Have you ever experienced backed up traffic flow due to drivers who are straining to see what’s happening at a construction site nearby or events unfolding at an accident scene in the area? Not only does this type of visual distraction put you at risk for being late to a meeting or social gathering, it also places you in grave danger for collision and injury. Other visual distractions occur when drivers turn around to focus on rear seat passengers, off-road billboard signs or other sights.
- Manual: If you notice a nearby motorist fiddling with radio knobs, texting while driving or eating a sandwich, you should try to create distance between your vehicle and that one if at all possible, as these types of manual distractions often lead to fatal accidents.
- Cognitive: It’s a bit more difficult to recognize signs of cognitive distraction since it often includes things like daydreaming or listening to podcasts while driving. Generally speaking, if you see a driver who doesn’t appear to be focused on the task at hand, he or she may be cognitively distracted.
Statistics show that multitasking while operating a motor vehicle is often a recipe for disaster. There’s nothing you can do about another person’s driving skills or choices they make when navigating California highways. There is, however, a lot you can do to recover your losses should a distracted driver cause you injury. Many recovering accident victims seek justice in court following collisions where drivers were using cell phones or engaging in other distracted behaviors at the time.