Top Causes of Distracted Driving in Illinois

 Posted on December 15, 2017 in Personal Injury

One of the leading causes of vehicle accidents in DuPage County is distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, distracted driving occurs when a driver engages in any activity that takes their attention away from the task of safe driving. Although distracted driving is more common in younger drivers, it is seen in drivers of all ages. The top causes of distracted driving in Illinois include:

Cell Phones

In Illinois, there are laws prohibiting the use of all hand-held devices while driving as well as texting while driving. Unfortunately, some drivers disregard these laws and use their cell phones while driving. When they do so, they take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and put themselves at a high risk of causing an accident because they are talking, texting, or using the internet on their cell phone.

Eating and Drinking

When drivers have purchased food from a fast food joint or are starving and have some snacks in their vehicle, it could be difficult for them to resist eating. Since eating and drinking can easily distract drivers from their safe driving duties, they should stop at a rest area or wait until they make it to their destination prior to eating and drinking.

Reaching for or Using a Device

Sometimes, drivers reach for and/or use a device like a GPS, radio, CD player, or MP3 player. Even if they are stopped at a red light, their foot may slip off the brake as the reach for a device. Therefore, drivers should make sure that any devices they may need during their drive are easily accessible and programmed in advance.

Talking to Passengers

When friends or family members are in a vehicle, it can be difficult for drivers not to talk to them. However, talking to passengers can divert their attention away from the road. For this reason, drivers and passengers should limits conversations on the road, especially in harsh weather or traffic conditions.

Grooming

When drivers are late for work or another important event, they often groom themselves while driving. Brushing hair, applying makeup, and tweezing eyebrows are all easy ways for drivers to distract themselves from their duty of safe driving.

Watching Distractions on Road

It can be tempting to look at people, objects, or events on the ride while driving. Paying attention to any dramatic or interesting distractions on the road can increase a driver’s risk of getting into an accident.

Contact Our Hinsdale Car Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been hurt in an accident that was caused by a distracted driver, you should contact our DuPage County car accident lawyers today at 630-920-8855. We may be able to collect compensation on your behalf.

Source:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

http://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/distractdrive.cfm