Distracted drivers are a growing cause of motor vehicle accidents. The first thing any Arizona motorist can do is work to remain distraction free while driving. The second thing is to learn the signs of distracted drivers on the road. This can improve your defensive driving skills and hopefully avoid a collision.
Erratic driving
A poorly driving motorist is often distracted. One of the ways to think about this is that you’re looking for a car that is moving in unpredictable patterns.
Examples of erratic driving caused by a distracted motorist may include:
- Inconsistent speed
- Not staying in their lane
- Braking suddenly
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Suddenly swerving without a noticeable reason
The above are all signs of a distracted driver. This can lead to motor vehicle accidents. One of the best ways responsible drivers can avoid the risk they pose is to pull over and wait for the distracted driver to be further away. It can also be useful to call the authorities and report the driver if you feel an accident is likely to happen.
Unusual activity in the car
Whether you are driving behind a vehicle or to the side of it, you can often see inside the cab of the car. If you can see that a driver is eating or moving around a lot in their seat, they are not giving the road their full attention. Some common causes of this kind of distraction include looking for something in the car, eating finger foods, or having a heated conversation with passengers. All of these activities put a motorist at high risk for distracted driving and can lead to motor vehicle accidents.