The Three Types of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. While all types of distracted driving are dangerous, texting is the riskiest.

Texting takes a person’s eyes off the road for at least five seconds. At fifty-five mph, this is the equivalent of someone driving the length of an entire football field with their eyes closed.

What are the Three Types of Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving can be broken down into three types: visual, manual, and cognitive. 

What are Visual Distractions?

Visual distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road. Examples of visual distractions include reading, texting, talking to a passenger, and using an entertainment system.

What are Manual Distractions? 

Manual distractions take a driver’s hands off of the steering wheel. These distractions can include looking for items in a bag, using a mirror, programming a GPS, and eating.

What are Cognitive Distractions?

Cognitive distractions are any activities that remove a driver’s focus from driving. Drugs, alcohol, emotional upset, and drowsiness are all cognitive distractions that impair driving.  

Distracted Driving is Illegal in Wisconsin

Distracted driving is illegal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin statutes governing distracted driving ban:

• Inattentive driving in general, which prohibits activity that interferes with the ability to drive safely;
• Cell phone use by probationary license holders;
• Hand-held use for all drivers in work zones;
• Texting for all drivers; and
• Driver use of devices for visual entertainment.

Wisconsin saw an increase in fatal traffic crashes involving distracted driving from 2019 to 2020.

Young Adults and Teens are High-Risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes involving a distracted driver. Among drivers in 2019, those under twenty were more likely to drive while distracted.

Other 2019 findings by the CDC were as follows:

• 39% of high school students who drove in the past 30 days texted or emailed while driving on at least one of those days;
• Texting or emailing while driving was more common among older students than younger students;
• Texting or emailing while driving was more common among White students (44%) than Black (30%) or Hispanic students (35%);
• Texting or emailing while driving was as common among students whose grades were mostly As or Bs as among students with mostly Cs, Ds, or Fs; and
• Students who texted or emailed while driving were also more likely to report other transportation risk behaviors. 

For more information from the CDC about distracted driving and teens, see the CDC’s website.

Contact an Experienced Milwaukee Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or your loved one was injured by a distracted driver, the Milwaukee car accident lawyers at Mingo & Yankala can help. Contact our office in Milwaukee today to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn your legal options and see if you qualify for compensation for your injuries.

No one should pay for someone else’s mistakes. If you were injured through no fault of your own, you could be reimbursed for your pain and suffering, current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and much more.

Let Mingo & Yankala walk you through the personal injury claims process. Call or send us a message online to speak with a legal professional now.