When you’re driving, the last thing you want to do is be distracted. But unfortunately, some of the most common things that Illinois drivers do can are often the most distracting. Here are four of the most common types of distracted driving.
Visual distractions
These are anything that takes your eyes off the road, even for a second. That includes things like looking at your phone, changing the radio station or even rubbernecking. Take rubbernecking, for instance. When you’re driving and you see a motor vehicle accident on the side of the road, it’s natural to want to look. But even if you just glance over for a second, that’s enough time to miss something important, such as a stop sign or the brake lights of the car in front of you.
Manual distractions
These are anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel. That includes things like fiddling with the radio, eating or even drinking. Even if you’re just holding a cup of coffee, that’s one less hand you have to grip the steering wheel with in case of an emergency. And, of course, a particularly dangerous manual distraction is texting while driving.
Cognitive distractions
These are anything that takes your mind off of driving. That includes things like daydreaming, having a conversation with a passenger or even being lost in thought. If you’re not focused on the task at hand, which is driving, then you’re more likely to make a mistake.
The best solution is to simply avoid anything that takes your attention away from the road. If something requires your immediate attention, make sure you take care of it before you start driving or after you’ve pulled over. And, of course, never text and drive. It’s simply not worth the risk.
