Every time you set out in your car, you are at the mercy of all the other drivers you share the road with. It only takes a mistake by one of them to cause a crash that could hospitalize or even kills you.
One of the biggest reasons drivers make mistakes is that they are distracted. If you can spot a distracted driver, you can do your best to stay out of their way, reducing the chance that any mistake they may make affects you. Here are some signs to look out for when you’re behind the wheel.
Erratic driving
Speeding up and slowing down without apparent reason, braking late at lights or being slow to take off when they change could all suggest that a driver’s mind is not on the road. So could failing to hold a straight course in their lane.
Interacting with passengers in the vehicle
Small children in the rear seat often distract their parents. They can be hard to ignore as they ask for attention, food, drink or toys. Similarly, a group of youngsters in a car driven by a youngster should also put you on alert. They can get excited, distracting the driver as they fiddle with the music, or mess about. Even an older, more serious passenger can be dangerously distracting if they engage in an argument with a driver.
Eating or drinking
Many people eat or drink as they drive, but doing so requires a driver to take at least one hand off the wheel. They might also take their eyes off the road as they search for whatever they want to eat or drink next.
While these tips can help you avoid a collision, you can’t notice what every driver is up to. If one of them gets distracted and injures you in a collision, you will need to learn how to claim compensation accordingly. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started.