Many of us take pride in our ability to multitask, but when it comes to driving a vehicle, multitasking can prove deadly. One reason is because effective multitasking is a myth. By multitasking, motorists take their attention off the road, which could cause them to make serious driving errors, such as blowing through a stoplight, failing to yield at a crosswalk or even veering into oncoming traffic. Taking on two tasks at once, such as using a cell phone and driving, can also reduce a person’s reaction time, meaning that the driver may be unable to stop to avoid slowed or stopped traffic.
Some people think that simply speaking on a cell phone poses little, if any, risk since it is akin to talking to a passenger within the vehicle. However, there is a marked difference. Passengers in a car are able to watch the road and point out any hazards that may arise, thereby assisting a driver in operating the vehicle in a safe fashion. Those present by phone, on the other hand, can do nothing to aid a motorist. Instead, they merely divide a driver’s attention.
Hands-free talking and voice-to-text features don’t prevent distraction, either. Those who are talking on a cell phone, even hands free, can wind up missing up to 50 percent of their surroundings. Voice-to-text can physically take a person’s eyes off the road, as auto-correct errors are common, requiring an individual to change it.
Although some people have attempted to reduce their distracted driving, the simple truth is that those efforts fall short of any meaningful change. Instead, innocent motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians continue to suffer serious injuries when they are involved in car accidents involving distracted drivers. Although nothing can be done to undo the harm suffered by these victims, a personal injury lawsuit may help find accountability and compensation.