Your immediate thoughts after experiencing a car accident in Bridgeport (after assessing your own condition, as well as that of your passengers and your vehicle) likely center on how the person that hit you seemed so inattentive to your presence on the road.
Distracted driving is a real problem. Yet many of those that seek our assistance here at Tremont Sheldon P.C. often only believe it to occur when one is using their cell phone while driving. In reality, there are a number of different distractions that could have pulled the attention of the driver that hit you away from the road. One may be much more common (and dangerous) than you realize.
Eating and drinking while behind the wheel
This particular type of distraction is eating and drinking while driving, and is likely overlooked by you (and most others) as a distraction because it seems to be such a natural act. Yet according to information shared through a joint awareness campaign featuring the Auto Alliance and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, eating behind the wheel causes drivers to simultaneously engage in the following three major types of distractions:
- Manual
- Visual
- Cognitive
One must grasp whatever it is that they eat (requiring them to release the steering wheel with at least one hand), and focus their attention and gaze on it (if even only momentarily) in order to avoid spills.
Why is eating while driving so dangerous?
The fact that so few recognize eating and drinking while driving as a distraction contributes to a prevalence that makes it especially dangerous. Indeed, research shows that as many as 70% of drivers admit to eating while driving (while 83% claim to drink beverages while behind the wheel).
You can learn more about identifying the causes of a car accident by continuing to explore our site. Our firm is committed to helping our clients through this unprecedented time. We can meet virtually or in-person as our office is set up safely for in-person meetings.
