Anything that takes your focus off of the road can be classified as a distraction. Therefore, if you’re daydreaming about your next trip to a Florida amusement park while on your way to work, you are engaged in distracted driving. The same is true if you’re thinking about any other subject when you should be paying attention to road conditions.
You can’t focus on two things at once
It’s important to understand that your brain is designed to focus on one thing at a time. This means that you can’t concentrate on what the car in front of you is doing while also pondering how great it would be to quit your job.
What can you do to minimize your risk of daydreaming while driving?
It may be a good idea to take a different route to work, school or the local grocery store. This will force your mind to focus on where you are going as opposed to relying on muscle memory to get you to your destination. It may also be a good idea to avoid driving while tired or while under the influence of controlled substances. Finally, turning down the volume on your radio might be an effective way of reducing your chances of being in a motor vehicle accident.
If you are hurt in a motor vehicle accident, it may be possible to obtain compensation for lost wages, property damage and other losses incurred in the crash. An attorney may use cellphone records, driver statements and other evidence in an effort to prove that the collision was caused by a distracted driver. Compensation may be obtained through a negotiated settlement or at the conclusion of a personal injury trial.