Distracted driving increases the risk of accidents, with up to 25% of crashes caused by it. There are three types of distractions: manual, cognitive, and visual. Drivers can receive fines and citations for distracted driving, and repeated violations may result in license suspension. Automakers have created voice interfaces to address hand distractions. Cognitive distractions, such as cell phone use, have led many nations to restrict or ban certain activities while driving. Insurance rates may increase after a distracted driving citation.
Distracted driving is operating a motor vehicle without paying close attention to the road, increasing the risk of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States estimates that up to 25% of crashes each year are the result of distracted driving. In some jurisdictions, the Motor Vehicle Code specifically addresses this issue, and people can receive fines and citations for distracted driving. Repeated violations can result in the suspension of someone’s license.
There are three main types of distractions drivers can encounter on the road: manual, cognitive and visual. Visual distractions include doing things like reading, trying to adjust a navigation system, or looking at something on the side of the road like an interesting building or sign. While people aren’t looking, they miss problems like drifting into the oncoming lane, traffic delays ahead, and other safety threats. Inattentive drivers may also fail to spot people or animals crossing the road and may hit them.
Hand distractions can involve flipping the controls of a car, forcing the driver’s hands off the steering wheel. Drivers may fiddle with radio or heating settings, or may engage in activities such as eating, applying makeup or fixing clothes while driving. All of these distractions prevent drivers from controlling the steering wheel in the event of a problem and can endanger drivers. Some automakers have tried to address this form of distracted driving by creating interactive voice interfaces, so people can adjust the volume, change tracks or stations, and operate the climate control system without having to touch anything.
When drivers experience cognitive distractions, they mentally focus on something other than driving. Cell phones are a common culprit, as are conversations in the car. Drawing the brain’s attention to tasks other than driving may make people unable to respond as quickly to events on the road, such as cars stopping or lights changing. Awareness of the risk of cognitive distractions has led many nations to restrict or ban activities such as cell phone use while driving in the interest of public safety.
Drivers who receive distracted driving tickets may be able to attend traffic school and have the ticket expunged from their records, depending on the policy and their driving history. Insurance rates will go up if people don’t deal with the ticket, and can go up a lot in the event of a distracted driving citation, as the insurance agency may be concerned that the driver will likely repeat the activity.
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