Distracted Driving

​What Are the Three Major Types of Distracted Driving?

ER Injury Attorneys
distracted driving in Las Vegas

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and National Safety Council (NSC) use the event to promote awareness on distracted driving. This issue is particularly important to the team at ER Injury Attorneys, since distracted driving in Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing causes of car accidents in the areas we serve.

To help you and the drivers in your family learn more about distracted driving in Nevada, our personal injury lawyers explain the three major types of distractions that affect drivers.

Distracted Driving in Las Vegas: Three Major Types

There are three major types of distractions that drivers need to be aware of: cognitive distractions, manual distractions, and visual distractions. Here are explanations and examples of each.

Cognitive Distractions

Cognitive distractions are ones that take your mind off the act of driving. Examples of these include:

  • Chatting with passengers
  • Talking on the phone
  • Daydreaming
  • Planning your day instead of focusing on driving safely

A newer type of cognitive distraction is having your attention grabbed by elaborate phone alert sounds and ringtones. Most phones that use modern operating systems like Apple iOS and Google Android have “driving modes” that limit phone alerts and other distractions once you reach a certain speed. Consider using these features to increase your safety.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions cause you to take one or both of your hands off of the steering wheel. Examples of these distractions include:

  • Changing the radio station manually
  • Using your smartphone while driving
  • Drinking or eating while driving
  • Applying makeup or shaving while driving

Having one hand or no hands on the steering wheel severely limits your ability to quickly react to traffic conditions. While taking one hand off of the steering wheel for a few seconds may seem innocent, it can make the difference between staying safe and suffering a catastrophic injury.

Visual Distractions

Things that cause you to take your eyes off the road are considered visual distractions. Examples of this include:

  • Looking at phone alerts
  • Reading websites while driving
  • Staring at billboards
  • Searching for a dropped object instead of looking at the road

Similar to manual distractions, some people dismiss the gravity of taking their eyes off of the road. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers claims that taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your chances of getting into a car accident. While many locals and tourists love the bright lights of Sin City, they unfortunately lead to car accidents caused by distracted driving in Las Vegas.

Injured By a Distracted Driver?

The staff at ER Injury Attorneys hopes that you have a better understanding of the cause of distracted driving in Las Vegas. Please share this information with your friends and family in order to increase everyone’s safety. Should you get injured by a distracted driver, please contact us for immediate assistance.

You can reach ER Injury Attorneys 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone at 702-878-7878 or online through LiveChat or secure contact form. Our team represents injury victims throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. If you’re looking for a Nevada injury lawyer with a proven track record of winning great settlements for clients and a reputation for sterling customer service then contact ER Injury Attorneys today.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

3 Reasons Why Texting and Driving Is Bad

ER Injury Attorneys
Texting and Driving Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer

Texting and driving is one of the most common causes of distracted driving, the fastest growing cause of car accidents in the last decade. While sending an ordinary text has been common since the late 90s, people now have all sorts of messaging platforms to use–Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Line, and more. As smartphones and messaging services advance, there are more ways to become distracted than ever before and the results can be catastrophic. 

To help you and the drivers in your family understand the dangers of this form of distracted driving, ER Injury Attorneys explains three reasons why texting and driving can cause harm to everyone on the road.

Texting and Driving Includes All Three Majors Types of Distractions

Distracted driving is broken up into three categories: cognitive, manual, and visual. Any one of these distractions is enough to cause a car accident. Texting and driving contains all three.

  • Cognitive: Texting and driving takes your mind off of driving safely
  • Manual: Texting while driving makes you take one or both hands off of the steering wheel
  • Visual: Texting and driving makes you take your eyes off of the road

Keeping you and your passengers safe should always be your first priority while driving. Having your mind, hands, and eyes focused on reading or sending text messages–even if it’s only for a few seconds–can be deadly.

Texting and Driving Is Illegal in Nevada

In addition to posing a threat to your safety, the safety of other motorists, and being a potential cause of wrongful death, texting and driving is illegal in Nevada. Nevada Revised Statute 484B.165 states that using a handheld wireless communications device to type or enter text, send or read data, engage in non-voice communication, or engage in voice communications without the use of a hands-free device is unlawful.

The fines are $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $250 for a third or additional offense. Fines can be doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone or pedestrian safety zone. Additionally, starting with a second offense you can have four demerit points added to your driver’s license. If you receive 12 or more points in any 12-month period, your driver’s license is automatically suspended for 6 months.

Texting and Driving Can Be Lethal

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,142 fatalities caused by distracted driving in 2019. This accounts for almost 9% of all traffic fatalities that year. As mentioned above, distracted driving is one of the fastest-growing causes of car accidents. The NHTSA claims that distracted driving deaths increased almost 10% from the previous year and more than 14% over the last decade.

While the increased capabilities of mobile phones have given drivers a great source of distraction, many are unaware of the catastrophic consequences of texting and driving. It’s vital to make sure that you know how serious this issue is and how it can impact lives. As you can see from the NHTSA’s figures, cases of distracted driving are on the rise. By making sure that you’re educated on the issue and taking steps to make sure that you’re always focused on the act of driving, you can help make those cases decline.

Injured By a Distracted Driver? Contact ER Injury Attorneys.

ER Injury Attorneys hopes that this blog has helped you understand why texting and driving is such a big problem in southern Nevada. Please share this information with the drivers in your household, as well as friends and family, to help eliminate distracted driving car accidents. Unfortunately, no matter how safely you drive, there’s a chance that you’ll be hit by a distracted driver. If you get into a Las Vegas car accident caused by a distracted driver then contact our personal injury attorneys immediately.

ER Injury Attorneys is available to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call us at 702-878-7878, contact us online through LiveChat, or leave your particulars using a secure contact form. Our team of experienced legal professionals is dedicated to helping you through every step of a car accident, from finding the medical you need to getting maximum compensation for your injuries. Reach out to us today and get the legal service that you deserve. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, ER Injury Attorneys, represents clients throughout Clark and Nye County to include all areas of Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson, Boulder City, Pahrump and Laughlin.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.