New York roads are often dangerous for drivers like you. Many factors feed into the risks. The crowded streets and mix of pedestrians and vehicles is one risk factor. Another includes distracted driving behaviors.
Most people know the most risky of distracted driving behaviors. But some of the lesser discussed ones may surprise you.
Lesser known driver distractions are more common
The National Safety Council handles matters related to distracted driving risks. They examine all forms of distraction, including the most well-known. This includes texting or operating a handheld device while driving. When it comes to distracted driving behavior, this has the most awareness campaigns.
But using your phone is not the only distraction in your car. In fact, distractions in the car can divide into three categories. These are visual, cognitive and physical distractions. Physical and visual distractions take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. This already covers a wide swath of potential actions. Cognitive distractions draw your mental attention away from driving. This is a huge umbrella.
Surprising examples of distracted driving
Here are a few seemingly harmless things most drivers do that are actually distracted driving behaviors.
- Talk to passengers
- Listen to music
- Adjust the radio or temperature
- Have a snack or drink non-alcoholic beverages
- Listen to a GPS navigation system
- Look at accidents on opposite sides of the road
Of course, some of these actions prove a larger hazard than others. But they can increase your likelihood of getting into a crash. When you see how common some of them are, the high level of distracted driving incidents may make more sense.