Stop Distracted Driving: Stay Alert in Order to Stay Safe in Alabama

Every day, nine people in the U.S. are killed in a distracted driving accident. Another 1,000 are injured. And the sad thing is, almost all these accidents could have been prevented.

Almost all distracted driving accidents are avoidable. Regardless of the type of accident, chances are, they didn’t have to happen.

Multi-Tasking is the worst thing you can do when driving. If you think about, what is so important that it’s worth getting into an accident for? Making a phone call? Responding to a text? Reading what someone posted on your social media page? No.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a distracted driving accident, an experienced car wreck attorney in Alabama can help.

What are the Different Types of Distracted Driving in Alabama?

There are three main types of distracted driving in Alabama. All of these are dangerous and can cause you to get into a distracted driving accident. The 3 types are:

• Visual – This is when your eyes leave the road so you can look at something else. This could be anything from reading a text to reading a bumper sticker on the car in front of you. Even checking out billboards is a type of visual distraction. When you take your eyes off the road for just a few seconds, you risk becoming an accident statistic.
• Manual – If you physically take your hands off the wheel, it’s considered a manual distraction. You may be trying to put on makeup and think it’s safe to take your hands off the wheel for a moment. Or, you’re trying to eat your lunch and don’t think there’s any harm in grabbing some fries. While these things don’t seem dangerous because they won’t take a lot of time, it’s still dangerous.
• Mental – The biggest distraction when people are driving is daydreaming. When our minds wander, there’s no telling what can happen. Let’s say you’re thinking about a report you need to memorize for a presentation at work. You can’t possibly be thinking about driving if you’re concentrating on something else.

You Need to Stay Alert to Stay Safe

If you aren’t aware of what you’re doing while behind the wheel, you may get injured. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. One way to do this is to make sure you stay alert.

When you were a kid and had a big test at school the next day, your parents told you to eat a good breakfast. They wanted to make sure you were sharp and alert for your test. The same is true when it comes to driving. Some of the reasons people become distracted when they’re behind the wheel are:

• They’re overtired
• They’re suffering from anxiety or stress
• They’re running late and aren’t paying attention to speed limits or red lights
• They are hungry or have a headache from not eating
• They’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol

If you are feeling any of these things, it’s a good idea to not get behind the wheel. Don’t drive if you don’t think you’ll be able to pay attention.

If You Can’t Stay Alert, Call an Uber

There are times when it’s just not a good idea to get behind the wheel. Maybe you’ve been up for 36 hours straight because you’re moving. Or, perhaps you’ve been at a business lunch and had a couple of drinks. In cases like this, the last thing you should do is get behind the wheel and drive.

In these situations, you have options- use a ride share, ask a friend for a ride, or postpone your trip.  If you’re supposed to go grocery shopping but haven’t slept yet, wait. The grocery store will be there later.

If you’re not alert, you can’t trust yourself behind the wheel of a car.

If you or your loved one are, in fact, injured by a distracted driver, call Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton right away. If you have been injured, you need an experienced car accident law office in Alabama. Schedule your free consultation today and find out how much your case may be worth.