Intersections are consistently one of the most dangerous places to drive. They lead to numerous car accidents, injuries and fatalities. A lot of these accidents happen because drivers are distracted.
One reason that intersections are so problematic is that people will let their guard down. When the car is in motion, an attentive driver may pay close attention to the traffic around them and keep their eyes on the road. But when they get to the intersection and stop at the red light, that’s when they take a moment to turn and talk to a passenger, adjust the radio station, type something on the GPS or use their cellphone. This feels like a safe time to do so because the car isn’t moving, leading to elevated levels of distraction.
But why isn’t it safe?
The reason that this isn’t safe is that the distraction itself lingers. Some studies claim that a person who puts their phone down is still distracted for the next 27 seconds, for instance.
In an ideal world, a driver at a red light would be watching traffic move. They would be noting the positions of pedestrians or cyclists. They would be keeping a close eye on the cars behind them or in front of them. When the light turned green, they would already know about any potential hazards and they would be ready to drive.
Instead, when the light turns green, many drivers are frantically looking up as they set their phone on the seat next to them. They’re still thinking about social media profiles, text messages or whatever else they were doing on the phone. They are certainly not in the right mindset to drive safely, and that distraction won’t fade for about half a minute.
Have you been injured by a driver who caused an accident due to their own distraction? You need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other costs.