7 Common Causes of Distracted Driving in St. Louis

When a driver is distracted, they take their attention off the road and put themselves and others at risk. Here are seven common causes.

Though there are many reasons why the people of St. Louis get into car accidents, there is one that happens more frequently than most others: Distracted driving. When a driver is distracted, they take their attention off the road and put themselves at risk. This often leads to disastrous car accidents. Let’s discuss seven of the most common causes of distracted driving.

Talking on the Phone

A significant portion of car accident cases involve cell phone use. One of the top ways people use their phones is, of course, to make calls. Even if that person uses a hands-free device, they are still taking their attention away from the road and putting themselves at risk. If they do not have a hands-free device, they are also taking a handoff of the wheel, which adds to the danger.

Texting and Social Media Use

The second way a phone can be dangerous is through texting and social media use. Generally, this practice is even more dangerous than talking on the phone. The reason is that the person doing it must take their eyes off the road and a hand off the wheel.

GPS

Though GPS technology helps us a great deal when driving, it can also be dangerous. The primary situation where this occurs is when the GPS malfunctions. Often, a driver will attempt to remedy the problem without pulling over and end up in a crash.

Applying Makeup

Sometimes, drivers will try to save time by doing their makeup behind the wheel. As you can imagine, this causes significant distraction and frequently leads to crashes. If you ever find that you do not have time to apply your makeup, opt for going without it rather than putting it on while driving.

Talking to Passengers

Just like a phone call can be distracting, so can a lively conversation with a passenger. Though you don’t have to stay in silence throughout your car ride, be sure the road is getting ample attention when you have conversations with your passengers.

Managing a Pet or Child

Pets and children can be very unpredictable during a car ride. Whether that means a child throwing a tantrum, a pet jumping on your lap, or any other common situation, this can lead to accidents. Try your best to pull over before dealing with these issues safely.

Daydreaming

Sometimes when you’re driving, you do everything right. You keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel for a while, but then you get bored. You may start to daydream and drive on “autopilot.” When this happens, your reaction time may drop, and you put yourself and others at considerable risk.

There are two primary ideas you should take away from these common causes of distracted driving. The first is that you should manage yourself properly and resist these distractions. When you do, you’ll significantly reduce your risk of getting into an accident. Second, there are thousands of drivers on the road who regularly drive distracted. If one of them ever hits you while driving distracted, you are likely eligible for compensation. Speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney to learn more and ensure your legal rights are protected.