Knowing How to Spot a Distracted Driver

Distracted driving has become an increasingly serious problem in the U.S. In fact, distracted driving was responsible for at least 324,652 car accident-related injuries in 2020 alone. Unfortunately, even drivers who use the utmost care to avoid driving while distracted could still end up involved in a crash caused by a less conscientious driver. That’s why it’s so important for all road users to be familiar with the most common signs of distracted driving.

Erratic Speed Changes 

Distracted driving can take a lot of different forms, but falls under one or more of the following three categories:

• Manual distractions, which take a driver’s hands off the wheel;
• Visual distractions, which take a driver’s eyes off the road; and
• Cognitive distractions, which take a driver’s mind off the act of driving.

All of these kinds of distractions, however, tend to result in the same kind of driving, which often involves erratic speed changes. Road users should keep an eye out for vehicles that don’t maintain a steady speed even in normal traffic.

Weaving or Drifting 

Drivers who are on the phone, looking at the GPS, or engaging in other distracted driving behaviors often have trouble staying in their own lanes. That’s why other road users should remain wary of drivers that suddenly swerve or drift out of their lane.

Delayed Reactions to Traffic Signals 

Drivers who brake suddenly and without warning at yellow lights for which they should have been prepared, slow to move forward at green lights, or jump at red lights are clearly not paying attention while they drive, possibly because they are distracted. Road users who see this kind of behavior should give these drivers extra space to avoid ending up in a collision through no fault of their own.

Looking Away From the Road for Extended Periods of Time 

Driving safely requires diligence and focus and drivers who repeatedly look away from the road may be distracted. Whether daydreaming and staring off into space, reading texts on their cell phone, or fiddling with their navigation system, looking anywhere but at the road for a significant amount of time is dangerous not only to the driver, but to other road users.

Visible Multi-Tasking 

In some cases, distracted driving is obvious, as a person could see a driver actively engaged in distracting behaviors. Road users who see drivers eating, looking at their phones, applying make-up or fixing their hair, should use extra care, as those drivers are clearly not fully focusing on the road.

Avoiding Distracted Drivers 

We cannot control the actions of other drivers, but we can take steps to reduce our chances of being involved in a crash, including:

• Increasing the space between vehicles;
• Changing lanes;
• Refraining from engaging (i.e. honking or gesturing), which can escalate the situation dangerously; and
• Continuing to drive predictably by driving steadily and using signals clearly.

Unfortunately, even taking these steps doesn’t guarantee that a person will avoid being involved in a car crash caused by another distracted driver.

Helping Victims of Distracted Driving 

To speak with an experienced Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer about holding a negligent driver liable for your car crash, call the office of Shiver Hamilton Campbell at 404-593-0020 or send us an online message today.

Sources:

 nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/distracted-driving-statistics/