The daylight savings time change has come and gone, and Minnesota drivers are now commuting home in progressively darker conditions. Darkness can present dangers to drivers when obscured roads and tired eyes fail to focus on roadway hazards. However, a lack of light is not the only condition that can make St. Cloud roads and streets dangerous to motorists and pedestrians.
Distracted driving is a major problem throughout the United States, and this post will offer an introduction to the topic. This post does not offer any legal advice or counsel, and readers who believe that they have been affected by distracted driving can contact their trusted personal injury attorneys for case-specific support.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is not defined by a single action or behavior. Rather, it refers to the collective practices that individuals can engage in when they should be focused on safely operating their vehicles. Put simply, distracted driving involves doing something other than driving while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
There are many ways that people can drive while distracted, such as:
- Eating or drinking
- Grooming or putting on make-up
- Talking on phones, texting, or browsing the internet
- Reading books or maps
- Talking to passengers or dealing with pets
When a driver takes their focus off the road and puts it onto another task, they may lose track of their surroundings and create a dangerous collision with other vehicles.
Steps to take after a distracted driving accident
After any motor vehicle accident, a victim should take the necessary steps to ensure that their health and safety are protected. They can seek medical help for injuries and may wish to record the names and addresses of witnesses and involved parties for later consultation. If they are able, they can take pictures of their accident scenes and document the time and conditions of the area where their accidents occurred. When they are ready, they can seek the support of a local personal injury attorney to help them build their claim against the distracted driver who caused their losses.
