According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are three main types of driving distractions including visual distractions, manual distractions and cognitive distractions. Texting while driving distracts drivers in all three of these ways and is, thus, among the most dangerous types of distracted driving activities.
How Texting Drivers Cause Accidents
When a driver sends or receives a text, the driver’s eyes are diverted from the road to the phone, the driver’s hands are diverted from the wheel to the phone, and the driver’s attention is diverted from the road to the phone.
This combination of distractions can cause drivers who text and drive to rear end other vehicles, to miss traffic lights or signs and cause intersection accidents, or to drive outside of their travel lane and cause a head on collision or side collision. Of course, other types of accidents may also occur.
Accidents caused by texting drivers can result in significant injuries and deaths. If you know someone who texts and drives, please share this page with the driver so that the driver can learn why texting and driving is dangerous and, perhaps, avoid serious car accidents.