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5 Distractions While Driving We Didn’t Have 20 Years Ago

Distracted driving kills over 3,000 Americans every year.

5 Distractions While Driving We Didn't Have 20 Years Ago

And a further 391,000 people suffer serious car injuries at the hands of distracted drivers.

Most of us are aware that distractions while driving can impair our judgment and slow our reaction time.

Yet, once we’re behind the wheel, we face more distractions than ever.

In fact, many of the main driving distractions – in the form of technological advancements, automobile features, and consumer habits – didn’t even exist 20 years ago.

But what are some of the main causes of distracted driving in our modern society?

Keep reading to find out.

1. Cell Phones

While cell phones existed 20 years ago, they were far less common.

And, those with cell phones didn’t use them as often as people do now.

These days, 81 percent of Americans own a smartphone and 35 percent of smartphone users check their phone over 50 times a day.

This dependency on phones plus the range of distracting functions that smartphones now offer is a dangerous combination.

Even if you’re careful not to use your phone for texting while driving, you might need the services of Davidaylor.com if you sustain car injuries at the hands of a driver who isn’t as cautious as you.

5 Distractions While Driving We Didn't Have 20 Years Ago

2. Onboard GPS Systems

Although GPS systems are convenient, they do require drivers to take in visual information to find their destination.

This means their eyes and attention aren’t on the road as much as they should be.

3. More Electronic Controls

Adjusting mirrors, opening windows, and fiddling with the radio are some of the activities that have always represented a distraction for drivers.

But today’s cars are full of buttons and controls for all manner of high-tech features, taking distracted driving to a whole new level.

4. Beverages

Although cupholders in cars are nothing new, using them for beverages we intend to drink while on the move is a source of distraction we didn’t have 20 years ago.

Back in the 1990s when cupholders became standard in almost every car, driving with a hot beverage in hand wasn’t the ubiquitous trend it is today.

5 Distractions While Driving We Didn't Have 20 Years Ago

And, while drinking doesn’t require too much brainpower, reaching for your drink, spillages, and hot liquids can all cause distracted driving.

5. Other Mobile Devices

Even if you put your smartphone on silent, other modern mobile devices like tablets, smartphones, and activity trackers all vying for our attention.

From reading social media notifications to checking emails, these devices are always on hand to offer a variety of hard-to-resist distractions.

And it’s not just using these devices that can distract us either.

Even reaching for them is enough to cause a serious car accident.

Avoiding Distractions While Driving

As this list shows, there are plenty of technological devices and modern habits that can cause serious distractions while driving.

Even for experienced drivers, glancing down at a cell phone or reaching for a coffee could mean the difference between getting home safely and having a car accident.

With this in mind, pulling over to adjust your GPS or send a text could be the smartest decision you ever made.

For more interesting insights and helpful advice, be sure to check out our other blog posts!

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