Why Is It So Hard to Stop Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is one of those issues on the road that has proven really hard to put an end to, despite efforts by officials, lawmakers, police officers and driving instructors. Even making texting and driving illegal hasn’t stopped it. You’ve surely witnessed distracted drivers making mistakes, and you’ve likely seen the news stories about the serious accidents they cause.
But why can’t we stop this practice? It’s clearly dangerous. It’s costing lives every day. Other individuals are ending up in the hospital with serious injuries. Shouldn’t that be a wake-up call to distracted drivers that they need to focus on the road?
Addiction: Phones Are Designed This Way on Purpose
One of the biggest reasons is that people are honestly addicted to their phones. They crave the dopamine release that they get from using the phone. This may not be quite the same as alcohol addiction or nicotine addiction, but it is still a form of addiction. As always, addiction can make people do things that they do not want to do. They feel completely unable to control it.
Phones and apps are made this way intentionally. Time spent on an app increases its value and makes ad sales possible, so designers want the users to be addicted. They can’t just turn that off when they get into the car.
There Are So Many Different Distractions
Another reason why it’s hard to stop distracted driving is just that there are so many forms of distraction to contend with. It’s not just the phone. Other examples include:
- Talking to passengers
- Engaging with pets
- Setting the GPS
- Changing the radio station
- Looking at things outside of the car
- Adjusting the mirrors
- Consulting a map
- Adjusting the seats
- Reading street signs or billboards
- Eating and drinking in the car
Many of these activities are things that people do almost every time that they drive. They don’t even realize how distracting it is — at least, not until they cause an accident. Putting down the phone helps, but it’s not the only step that people need to take.
What if You Get Hit by a Distracted Driver?
As long as this is an issue, accidents will continue to happen. If you get injured in one of these accidents, you need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills and related costs.
