In 2018, Georgia residents found themselves facing a new cell phone law that restricts cell phone usage while driving. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, drivers cannot hold a phone in their hands, their laps or any other part of the body while their vehicle is in motion.
While cell phone laws such as this may help reduce car accidents, physical injury and death, there are other types of driving distractions that may contribute to these incidents.
Unrestrained pets
While some drivers enjoy having their pets in the car with them while they run errands, an unrestrained pet may inadvertently cause an accident. A study from Volvo Car USA noted that distracted driving behaviors more than doubled when the driver traveled with an unrestrained pet.
Even dogs that are not usually anxious in a car might become frightened by a passing police car, a sudden loud noise or excited children in the backseat. A driver trying to calm a pet and drive at the same time is likely at high risk for causing an accident.
Eating and drinking
The massive selection of fast-food drive-thru restaurants contributes to the trend of eating while driving. Many people stop for food on their way to work or eat in their cars on the way back from their lunch period, but this is often risky behavior that may contribute to accidents. Dropping hot food or burning the mouth on hot coffee may cause a sudden distraction, causing drivers to swerve or brake suddenly.
Many drivers desire convenience when they travel. However, these can lead to the development of dangerous habits that could increase the risk of causing a car accident.
