Top Driving Distractions That Cause Accidents
April is distracted driving awareness month. For a lot of us, driving has become 2nd nature. When you get to where you’re going, how much were you really thinking about what you were doing while driving? Probably not very much. You’ve done it so much that you’re brain is fully in sync with your foot and hands. Chances are you’re more distracted than you think. There is so much going on especially if you’re driving with others in the car. Here are some of the top distractions that cause accidents on the roadways.
Cell phones – Of course having the internet and conversations with friends at the tip of your fingers is distracting. It’s such an issue that they have commercials and billboards to bring attention to the dangers of texting and driving.
Daydreaming – Like I said in the beginning. Driving is second nature to you and you’ve got all sorts of other thoughts bouncing around in your noggin. Work, family, weekend. Whatever.
Reaching for things – Have you ever dropped your EZ Pass right before you are about to go through the express lane tolls? I have. Uh, Steve why don’t you just stick it to the windshield? Because I didn’t have the sticky things… until last week. I finally hopped on the EZ Pass website and requested them. Pretty easy, should’ve done it before, but instead I liked dropping the transponder a handful of times.
Eating and driving – Can really fall into the reaching for stuff category. Reaching for a french fry or burger you’re eating or dropped. Trying to clean up the ketchup you just dropped on your pants. All of it fits into reaching for things causing distractions.
There are a few more on the list of top distractions, but what I didn’t see is kids. Kids are the most distracting things in cars. Asking you to put on songs, causing you to look at your phone. Kids fighting, causing you to have to correct them. Them dropping things so you have to reach for things taking your eyes off the road. They should be on the list. Kids could really be an umbrella distraction and under it you can list multiple top distractions.
You can find the full list of distractions from the NY Post.
Check out some of our other posts over at WMGK.com
Roadside Frustrations: 8 Most Annoying Habits Of Other Drivers
The Lane Hogger
You know the type. They leisurely cruise along in the left lane, seemingly oblivious to the growing line of cars behind them. They show no intention of moving over, despite signs clearly indicating slower traffic should keep right. It’s as if they believe they own that lane and everyone else is just passing through.
The Indecisive Merge Master
You’re approaching a merging lane, diligently signaling your intention to merge, when suddenly you spot them—the driver who can’t seem to commit to either accelerating to merge or slowing down to let you in. They teeter on the edge of indecision, causing a chaotic dance of hesitant maneuvering that disrupts the flow of traffic.
The Tailgater
We’ve all encountered the driver who seemingly has a vendetta against personal space. They ride your bumper with an intensity that could rival a race car driver. Whether they’re running late or simply have a persistent need to assert dominance, their tailgating antics create an anxiety-inducing experience.
The Incessant Honker
Honking is meant to be a communication tool, a gentle reminder to draw attention to potential dangers or to express gratitude. However, a special breed of drivers wield their horns like a weapon of mass annoyance. They honk at the slightest inconvenience, from a fraction-of-a-second delay at a green light to a cautious pedestrian exercising their right of way.
The Distracted Doodler
We’re all aware of the dangers of distracted driving, yet some individuals choose to engage in activities outside the confines of a moving vehicle. From applying makeup and eating full meals to scrolling through social media or engaging in animated conversations, these drivers treat their cars as mobile living rooms. Their lack of focus puts us all at risk, and we can’t help but wonder if they have forgotten that driving requires undivided attention.
The Fast Lane Snail
The left lane, aka the fast lane, is meant for, well, going fast. But there’s always that one driver who decides to take a leisurely Sunday drive right there, blocking everyone else behind them. This forces other drivers to undertake risky maneuvers to overtake them, leading to frustration and potentially dangerous situations.
The Traffic Rule Ignorer
Traffic rules exist for a reason. To maintain order, safety, and efficiency on the roads. However, some drivers seemingly view these rules as mere suggestions. They run red lights, ignore stop signs, and make illegal U-turns with complete disregard for the potential consequences. Their actions create chaos and put everyone around them at risk.
The Turn Signal Skippers
It’s like these drivers believe that turn signals are optional car accessories. They change lanes or make turns without a single blinker in sight, leaving the rest of us to play mind readers and guess their next move.
