When Connecticut drivers hit the road, it’s unfortunately expected that not every other driver will be paying attention to what they’re doing. When that focus is absent, distracted driving-related accidents can easily occur, leading to catastrophic injury or even death.
The National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration discusses the fatal epidemic of distracted driving, especially when it comes to the use of mobile devices for texting. However, there are many different contributing factors that can lead to a driver becoming distracted. Answering calls, changing music, checking directions on the phone, or even talking to other passengers can all factor into a deadly crash.
Distracted driving can be difficult to spot, making accidents caused by distracted drivers hard to avoid. However, there are some key signs that might indicate that someone near you is distracted. The first sign is sudden braking. Instead of slowing to a stop, distracted drivers will often slam on the brakes quickly in order to avoid the vehicles in front of them, which they hadn’t seen.
Relatedly, it’s also possible for distracted drivers to weave or lean more toward one side of their lane than the other. This is because driving in a straight line takes some measure of concentration.
Pausing for a long time at intersections or stop lights is another big warning. Distracted drivers will often get wrapped up in a task during the down time between lights or while waiting to take a turn, and they won’t notice immediately once a light is green or the road is clear.
Take note of these behaviors if you see them happening around you. By avoiding the drivers exhibiting them, you can limit your chances of getting into an accident.
