How well do you know the causes of distracted driving?
By Allstate
Last updated: January 1
It can be easy to get distracted while driving, especially with the addition of new gadgets and technology. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention from driving, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and any distraction can pose a danger for the driver and others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the NHTSA and CDC, some of the most common causes of distracted driving include:
- Texting while driving
- Eating
- Drinking
- Reaching for your phone
- Talking to another passenger
- Turning knobs in your car, such as adjusting your temperature controls
- Checking and adjusting your GPS/navigation system
- Adjusting the radio station or infotainment system
- Reaching for objects
Texting may be the most alarming, though, according to the NHTSA. Reading or sending a text tends to take about five seconds — at 55 mph, that’s like driving an entire football field with your eyes closed, the site says.