Types of New York Driver Distractions

Distracted driving is a nuisance, one that causes many serious car accidents within the New York City and Long Island areas. In 2008, more than half a million people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, and nearly 6,000 people died.

Distracted driving is defined as any non-driving-related activity that has the potential to distract a driver from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. While any kind of distraction (such as reading or eating) increases a driver's chances of getting into an accident, texting while driving is the most dangerous.

According to the government web site Distraction.gov, there are three main types of distracted driving:

Visual—taking your eyes off the road to look at something else
Manual—taking your hands off the wheel to do something else
Cognitive—taking your mind off the road to think about something else

All of these three types of distracted driving increase your risk of being in a car accident. The activities that most commonly lead to distracted driving include:

Talking/texting on a cell phone
Eating or drinking
Talking to passengers
Grooming
Reading or looking at maps
Using a smart phone or navigation system
Watching a video
Changing radio stations or operating an MP3 player or CD changer

At Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine, we join others around the country in urging everyone to stop distracted driving. Remember never to use your cell phone while driving, and keep your eyes, hands, and mind on the road at all times. If you have new teen drivers in the family, talk to them about the dangers of distracted driving, and make them pledge not to text and drive.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident in the New York City area (including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Long Island), call the experienced Long Island Auto Accident Lawyers at RGG&L. We have helped hundreds of accident victims in the past, many of whom were injured in wrecks with distracted drivers, and we can help you fight the insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve.

If you're interested in speaking with a Long Island auto accident attorney today, call our law office in Manhattan or our law office in Long Island.