The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding motorists to avoid distractions as September brings heavier morning traffic, darker commutes and increased activity in school zones.
NHTSA identifies three types of distracted driving:
- Visual distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road. Examples include checking a GPS, adjusting the radio or looking in a mirror.
- Manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the steering wheel. These can include eating, drinking, checking a phone or searching for an item.
- Mental distractions take a driver’s attention away from driving. Examples include talking with passengers, daydreaming or dozing off.
Texting while driving involves all three forms of distraction because it requires drivers to look at a phone, use their hands and divert their attention from the road.
Photo credits to NHTSA
