Distracted Driving: 5 Dangerous Things Las Vegas Drivers Do
It’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and I am excited to do a story on this topic. Living in Las Vegas, I have witnessed so many things that have caused, or…
Distracting a driver by unwanted instructions or directions by a passenger is never safe. The driver is not focused on the road.
Wirestock via Getty ImagesIt's Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and I am excited to do a story on this topic. Living in Las Vegas, I have witnessed so many things that have caused, or nearly caused an accident due to people that are just not paying attention. Yes, of course, texting and driving is one of the major distractions that cause car crashes. Contrary to popular belief there are other bad habits that we tend to ignore.
Rate Of Accidents Caused By Distracted Driving
According to the J. Cogburn Injury Lawyers website, more than 3,500 distraction-related crashes are reported in Nevada each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also states that approximately nine people are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver every day in the United States, and more than 1,000 are injured.
There are some bad habits that we do daily that we don't think are distractions. I have put together my list of things that people do that will take their attention away from the road. And I have seen all of these on our local Las Vegas roads.
Distraction 1: Driving With Pets
Yes, we love our fur babies. But that doesn't mean they need to drive our cars. Distracted driving comes from all places, even ones that might seem cute on the surface.
Driving with pets in your lap is a sure accident waiting to happen. It's difficult to control a vehicle while Fido is hanging out of the driver's side window. I know pets are now commonly used as emotional support animals, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere.
Especially when it comes to the safety of a driver and/or other drivers on the road. So if you desire to take your furry friend on a road trip, it might be a good idea to invest in an animal car seat. This will also protect the well-being of poor little Fido.
Distraction 2: Road Rage
We've all been here. Some idiot does something stupid on the roads and almost gets us killed. It's better not to retaliate. Just stay calm and stay alive.
Road rage is definitely a major distraction. Your anger, due to someone cutting you off or not using a signal, causes you to drive with more aggression than is necessary. According to driversed.com, road rage is the cause of 56% of fatal crashes. That's more than half of fatal crashes that can be linked to road rage behaviors. Such as speeding, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, and illegal maneuvers.
I know when someone does something rude to you on the road, that all you can think about is catching up to that guy so you can give him the finger. But it's better to just let it go and be grateful that you weren't hit by him who you may have called an "idiot!"
Distraction 3: Eating And Driving
You might think you have it under control while eating and driving. But you are actually jeopardizing your life and those who are around you. As soon as you drop a piece of that sandwich, your natural reaction is to try and catch it or look to see where it landed. This is another distraction that can cause a fatal accident.
Eating and driving can be just as dangerous as texting and driving. That breakfast burrito does not belong in your face while you are operating a vehicle going upwards of 70mph. When you become more focused on your soft drink or sandwich, it becomes difficult to react quickly to sudden changes on the roads.
You may think that eating “easy” foods is safe from the dangers of distracted driving, but you may be surprised at what the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reported were the most dangerous foods for drivers. Hot beverages, soups, tacos/burritos, and powdered or jelly-filled donuts can be messy enough to distract you from the road. No food is actually safe to consume while driving, so put down the sandwich and focus on the road.
Distraction 4: Backseat Drivers
Sometimes when you're driving, you just want to tell your passenger to shut up. Harder to do when it's your boss or mother-in-law. So if you can't, at least tune them out so you can stay safe on the road.
This one is more for the passengers in the car than the driver. I like to call them backseat drivers. And they can be just as distracting to the one trying to focus on the road. A person who's trying to give directions and/or instructions while you are behind the wheel can be not only distracting but aggravating. Not to mention dangerous.
So if you are a passenger in a car, maybe play a game on your phone, or eat the jelly donuts so the driver doesn't have to.
Distraction 5: Phone Calls
Talking on the phone can also distract you from noticing pedestrians crossing the street. They might not always have the right away, but they do have a right to live. Put down your phone and pay attention to the road before somebody gets hurt.
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We already know texting and driving is not okay. In fact, in most places (including Vegas) it's illegal. But that doesn't mean that any phone activity done via Bluetooth or Airpod is safe. If you're engaged in a serious conversation that gets you angry, that's a different kind of road rage. Also, you could get distracted by looking for account numbers if you're trying to call your bank or conduct other business. Yeah, it might just take a second to retrieve that number, but that's all it takes to get into an accident or hit a pedestrian.
Safe driving is everyone's responsibility. Avoid what could be avoided by simply taking the extra step of being focused behind the wheel. You're welcome!
