How do distractions lead to serious accidents on highways?

While driving alongside a truck or another vehicle on a busy highway, you may feel particularly at risk for an accident.

Taking into consideration how risky distractions are and why they happen can help you if you are suffering after a crash.

Eyes and ears of the surrounding traffic

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a driver who looks down in order to check their phone or eat parts of a meal can easily miss signals from other people on the road. In a fast-paced environment like a highway, these few seconds could mean the difference between safety and a collision.

Listening to music or videos on a phone can also influence how much attention these same people pay to other drivers. Distracted drivers who often look over or talk to other people inside the vehicle could put themselves at risk for a crash.

Hands in use

Having one or both of their hands off the wheel while on the highway can put everyone around a driver in danger. Even holding a dispatch radio can make it hard to turn suddenly if another vehicle merges and the person driving is not prepared.

The faster and heavier a vehicle is, the harder it is to come to a complete stop when obstacles are in the way.

Mind focused on other topics

Taking the time to focus on what every vehicle around is doing can help drivers prevent accidents before they happen. If a distracted driver cannot focus or is falling asleep, they may sideswipe another vehicle.

Understanding the ways that motor vehicle accidents happen on highways when a driver cannot concentrate is important for anyone after a crash.