There is no doubt that distracted driving is an epidemic. Roughly 1,000 traffic accidents each day occur as a result of a driver getting distracted behind the wheel.
Distracted driving is a serious problem, but not many people know that there are different types of distracted driving to avoid.
What are the different categories of distracted driving?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes three different types of distractions. These categories include:
- Manual distractions: Any action that makes a driver take one or both hands off of the steering wheel is a manual distraction, such as eating or programming a GPS.
- Visual distractions: An action that pulls a driver’s eyes off of the road is a visual distraction, such as looking down at one’s phone or something out the window.
- Cognitive distractions: Anything that takes a driver’s mind off of the task at hand is a cognitive distraction. This includes daydreaming or thinking about work while behind the wheel.
Everyone, especially Kentuckians, must understand the various types of distraction, so they can avoid this reckless behavior.
Kentucky is one of the states ranked highest for distracted driving
According to a report from November 2019, Kentucky ranked fourth in the nation for distracted driving fatalities. This report used the most recent data from between 2013 and 2017, but this ranking is still a significant concern for Kentuckians even now in 2020.
Distracted driving became the number one cause of car accidents across the nation in just the last few years. As fourth in the nation for distracted driving fatalities, Kentucky drivers must:
- Understand the risk they face every time they get behind the wheel; and
- Take measures to avoid distractions behind the wheel.
This can help drivers stay safe and avoid serious, life-threatening accidents.
