Drivers should never use cellphones in the car. One reason for this is that it is often illegal. Cellphones have been found to be a major cause of driving distraction, so using them in the car is prohibited all across the United States – and it is certainly banned in California.
But why is it so dangerous? Why is the phone specifically such an issue? The problem is that it can lead to distraction on three different levels, significantly impairing a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
Visual distractions
Perhaps easiest to understand is the fact that using a phone is a visual distraction. If the driver is supposed to be looking at the road but is instead looking down at the screen of their phone, they’re just not going to see changes in traffic conditions ahead of them. Distracted drivers are much more likely to run red lights, miss stop signs and cause accidents.
Manual distractions
Even when the driver keeps looking at the road, they are suffering from a physical form of distraction if they’re holding their cellphone. They can only use one hand to manipulate the car. They may also be trying to type a text message or scroll through notifications.
Mental distractions
Finally, there are mental or cognitive distractions that go along with cellphone use. A driver may appear to be watching traffic, but their mind is not on the task at hand. Instead, they are thinking about what they are doing on their phone – the text message they’re trying to write, the song they’re trying to find, etc.
If you get injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, take the time to look into all of your legal options to seek financial compensation.