What are common causes of distracted driving and how can they be avoided?

When you work in the field of personal injury law, you see your fair share of motor vehicle accidents and the various ways in which they have occurred. As our firm is concerned with plaintiffs bringing claims against other drivers who were at fault, it is always interesting to see how these accidents could have been avoided had the drivers acted more responsibly. If just one small change is made, the driver, and other drivers on the road could potentially be spared a lifetime of injuries.

Distracted Driving in Canada

I will start with distracted driving as it is a significant cause of accidents in our society today. According to the Government of Canada’s website, 21% of all fatal collisions in Canada were caused by distracted driving in 2016. You may assume that this mainly refers to cellphone use, but that is only one aspect of distracted driving collisions.  A few other examples are eating, using a GPS, changing audio, talking to passengers, or in an instance that I came across, focusing on a pet.

Distracted driving is avoidable. Drivers need to keep their eyes on the road. If something requires their attention, they need to pull over before engaging.

Many collisions happen at intersections. The safest way to proceed is with caution when you pass through the intersection. Be vigilant! Whether you are the one passing through or making a turn, keep your vision attuned to everything on the road around you and account for other drivers who may be driving dangerously.

Keep in mind that accidents can include pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers are not the only ones who are easily distracted. You do not want to be on the receiving end of a personal injury lawsuit or even worse, be responsible for someone's severe bodily injuries that could have long-term repercussions.

The key takeaway is to keep your eyes on the road! With all the new technology that has disrupted our lives, it has never been easier to become distracted. As smart phones and wearable technology continue to be a permanent fixture in our lives, distracted driving, cycling and walking are clearly a common cause of motor vehicle accidents that are not going away any time soon.

Singer Kwinter has decades of experience dealing with clients who have been injured in accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation.