What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.
Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
There are four types of things that distract a person while driving.
1. Visual distractions include using a phone or looking at signs and other things that may be seen along the road.
2. Manual distractions involve anything that requires a driver to take their hand off the wheel, such as picking up something in the console, eating or drinking a non-alcoholic beverage.
3. Auditory distraction involves listening to something in a manner that reduces your ability to sense the environment around you.
4. Cognitive distractions involve anything that takes the driver’s mental focus on the road such as daydreaming or thinking about a personal or work problem or issue.
Cell Phones
The use of electronic devices while behind the wheel remains the predominant form of distraction in Georgia and is responsible for a majority of traffic crashes in the state because the behavior often involves all four forms of driver distraction. Because Georgia is a Vision Zero state, Georgia enacted a “Hands-free” law in July of 2018. Georgia’s Hands-Free Law prohibits drivers from using a phone in their hand or supported by their body when on the road, this includes vehicles that are stopped on a road at a traffic signal or stop sign.
Distracted Driving Resources
