Traffic accidents are caused by a variety of reasons, including road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, drunk driving, and other issues. Distracted driving has been getting a great deal of attention lately as a key reason why many roadway accidents happen. However, when discussions of distracted driving in Hollywood and across South Florida occur, we tend to focus on distracted driving caused by mobile devices and texting.
In fact, distracted driving is about a lot more than just technology. Even if you never text or speak on your cell phone while driving, you may still be driving distracted. One of the most common causes of distracted driving is in fact very innocuous: daydreaming.
Daydreaming is something that all of us do and the tricky thing is that most of us are not even aware when it occurs. Most of us daydream several times during the day and in many cases it is a useful activity. It can enhance creativity, help us cope with boredom or stress, and has other benefits, too. The problem with daydreaming, however, is that it is escapist and tends to remove us from thinking about what is going on around us. In a car, this habit can be deadly.
If you tend to drive the same route again and again, especially, or you tend to take long drives, you may tune out every once in a while and start daydreaming. When you daydream, your response times slow and you are not focused on the road. You may miss important cues – such as a pedestrian running onto the road – and this can lead to car accidents.
Preventing Distracted Driving and Daydreaming in Hollywood
There are several ways you can prevent daydreaming when on the road:
- Be aware of the danger. Many people don’t realize they daydream or assume daydreaming isn’t that dangerous. Understanding the hazard is an important first step.
- Drive when you are emotionally and physically ready to do so. Avoid driving when you’re angry, upset, or focused on another situation. If you’re imagining the perfect comeback in your latest argument, you’re probably daydreaming and not focusing on the road. Similarly, if you’re exhausted, your mind may be more likely to wander.
- Catch yourself when you start daydreaming. Try to consciously notice when you daydream and snap yourself back to reality.
- Drive defensively. One of the best safeguards against daydreaming while driving is to think two or three moves ahead. In this more concentrated manner on driving, your mind is less likely to wander.
If you have been injured by a distracted or daydreaming driver in Hollywood or any South Florida community, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood car accident attorney. You may have a claim against the driver and your claim may be able to help you pay for medical expenses, car repairs, lost income, and the other costs of being in a serious accident. Allow Flaxman Law Group to help you understand how much your potential claim could be worth.