Distracted driving can threaten your safety and leave you facing considerable consequences. The actions you take to avoid such behavior can protect you from undue harm.
If you encounter a distracted driver, it is best to move away as quickly as possible. Knowing how to protect yourself from the dangers of driver distraction can help you know how to react.
Understanding the danger
While there is a lot of focus on impaired driving, statistics support the claim that distracted driving can be equally as dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people in 2021. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can put you at a much greater risk of crashing. Distractions can take on visual, cognitive and manual forms.
Reacting to a concerning driver
Signs of a distracted driver could include the following:
- Driving slower than the speed limit
- Failing to maintain lane position
- Moving at inconsistent speeds
- Responding slowly to traffic signals
If you notice these behaviors from a driver near you, it is best to change lanes or try to move away as quickly as possible. In serious cases where driver distraction poses a significant threat, you can contact local authorities with your concerns.
Committing to safety
Your own commitment to avoiding distracted driving can put you in a better position to respond to a hazard if you notice someone else driving distracted. Avoid behaviors that will remove your attention from the road. This could include responding to texts, programming a GPS, eating or driving when you have just experienced a very emotional circumstance.
If you are involved in an accident with a distracted driver, you have the right to compensation, especially if the other person’s negligence resulted in harm to you.