Detroit Drivers Succumb to Many Forms of Distraction
If you are driving in Detroit, Warren and Sterling Heights, you should not be doing anything but paying attention to the road ahead of you. Too many drivers do other tasks in the vehicle instead of staying focused on the task at hand.
An accident lawyer knows whenever you get distracted, your brain has a hard time shifting back to driving. Inattention blindness may cause you not to see things that are directly in front of you. You will have a delayed reaction time and are more likely to become involved in a serious motor vehicle accident.
Most drivers know it is really dangerous to drive when they are distracted. Despite having this knowledge, people regularly engage in distracting tasks behind the wheel.
A recent Erie Insurance survey reported on by Consumerist of 1,915 drivers aged 18 and older showed just how many different things people are doing behind the wheel when they really should be focused on their driving.
Driver Distraction is a Major Risk Factor for Motorists
Drivers admitted to Erie Insurance they do many things besides drive when they are behind the wheel of their cars. Some of the different behaviors that drivers do include:
- Using the bathroom. A total of three percent of drivers have gone to the bathroom at the same time as they are driving a car.
- Making a change in who is driving. Three percent of people said that they had made a switch to a different driver without stopping the vehicle or pulling over.
- Taking a “selfie” picture. Four percent of motorists said they took selfies while they were driving.
- Taking care of dental hygiene. Four percent of drivers brushed their teeth or flossed their teeth while on the road.
- Putting makeup on. Eight percent of drivers applied makeup while driving.
- Changing what they were wearing. Nine percent of drivers changed their clothing as they were driving their cars.
- Doing their hair. Fifteen percent of motorists said they had combed or otherwise styled their hair behind the wheel.
- Having a romantic moment. Fifteen percent of drivers said they had a public display of affection or engaged in some type of romantic encounter while driving.
The survey also asked about more traditional distracting behaviors, like texting and driving. Men were more likely to admit to this behavior as compared to women (32 percent of men text compared with 28 percent of female drivers).
Not surprisingly, seniors were the least likely to text and drive, with only seven percent of people over the age of 65 sending or receiving texts behind the wheel. However, even a drop down to the demographic group between 55 and 64 doubled the number of texting drivers to 14 percent. Among young people between the ages of 18 and 34, a full 51 percent admitted they used their phones to text while behind the wheel.
Drivers of all ages endanger themselves and others when they send texts as they drive. A personal injury lawyer can help those who have been affected by a distracted driver to pursue a claim for compensation.
A Detroit accident lawyer can help victims in the city and surrounding suburbs including Warren and Sterling Heights. Contact Fraser & Souweidane P.C. at (866) 465-9095 to schedule a free consultation.Â
