What are the differences between drinking and driving and distracted driving?
Drinking and driving is one of the most common causes of preventable auto accidents in the United States of America. In 2016 alone, 10,497 people lost their lives due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes (and thousands more were seriously injured in car accidents), and this total accounted for a whopping 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths that year.
And yet, drunk driving isn’t the only preventable accident problem the country faces. Car accidents caused by distracted driving is quickly becoming just a great of danger, with almost 3,500 traffic deaths coming at the hands of distracted drivers in 2016. And it is almost certainly going to get worse before it gets better.
So, what exactly are the differences between accidents caused by drunk driving and auto accidents caused by distracted driving?
Drunk driving accidents
Drinking and driving, or driving under the influence (DUI), is simply operating a motorized vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a drug. Driving under the influence alters the body’s motor functions and decision-making skills; thus, the driver’s ability to react and make sound decisions is impaired, so the risks for injuries and death are even higher.
While many people assume that drinking alcohol is the only lethal way one drives under the influence, taking drugs before operating a motor vehicle can be just as deadly. This even includes smoking medical marijuana and popping prescribed pills. The rule for being “high” and operating machinery is the same as it is for alcohol: even when you are legally able to consume the substance, driving while impaired is no less illegal and can result in serious injuries caused by auto accidents.
Distracted driving accidents
Distracted driving is much different than driving under the influence of alcohol or other various substances, as driving while distracted involves the driver operating machinery within their right mind. That said, they are not completely focused on the road in front of them, allowing for the possibilities of being distracted by other, less important things. Distracted driving accidents can be caused by:
- Text messages
- Phone calls
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to peers riding with you in the car
- Disciplining children
- Drowsy driving
In fact, there are three different types of distractions drivers need to be aware of: visual, manual, and cognitive.
- Visual distractions are those which distract the driver from seeing what is on the road in front of them. These type of distractions typically come by consciously allowing yourself to take your eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions come when the driver actually does something physical that is distracting, like taking one or two hands off the wheel when the vehicle is in motion.
- Cognitive distractions involve the driver taking their mind off the road and going into auto-pilot mode.
It is extremely common for individuals to enter one (or more) of the three stages of distracted driving while on the road, especially those of a cognitive nature. This, however, doesn’t make it any less acceptable to fall victim to the distractions.
Auto accidents caused by drinking and driving and distracted driving combine to account for well over a third of all traffic fatalities in the country. They are very different by definition, but the disastrous results that often come from each are the same. Doing what you can to remain vigilant and aware of not only yourself but your surroundings will better your chances of staying injury-free while behind the wheel.
Injured in a car accident? Get information on how we can help you get the compensation you deserve from accidents caused by drunk or distracted drivers. Call Lovett Law Firm, personal injury and accident lawyer in El Paso, NM and Las Cruces, NM today at 915-757-9999 (El Paso, Texas) or 575-523-5555 (Las Cruces, New Mexico) to request a free initial consultation with our experienced accident attorney.