If you ask drivers if texting and driving is a form of distraction, they will almost unilaterally say yes. Many people do it anyway, often because they think they can be safe enough or that they will not cause an accident, but it is clearly a driving distraction. It is something that drivers should avoid behind the wheel, and it is often illegal – as it is here in Kentucky.
But it is important to remember that texting and driving is not a singular distraction. It actually qualifies as three separate distractions under the guidelines put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Manual, cognitive and visual
The first category is manual distractions. A driver always needs to be holding the wheel or the other controls inside of their vehicle. If someone is holding a cellphone in their hand, they are physically distracted.
The second category is cognitive or mental distractions. A person needs to be paying attention to what they are doing and focused on the road and traffic around them. Someone who is thinking about what to write in a text message is mentally distracted.
The final category is visual, which is just when a driver looks away from the road. Looking down at the screen of a cellphone is clearly a visual distraction.
Seeking compensation
Because texting and driving fits into all three of these categories, it is highly likely to cause a car accident. Those who have been injured need to know what legal options they have to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.