Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the United States. The dangers of texting and talking on the phone while driving are well known and have been clearly established, as they make up the majority of distracted driving injuries and deaths. But what are some of the other deadliest examples of distractions in a motor vehicle?

The following are a few:

• Smoking. Whether you’re lighting up, putting ashes in a tray or have a cigarette in your mouth, smoking takes a hand off the wheel and part of your attention off the road. Approximately 1 percent of all fatal accidents involve a driver who was smoking.
• Using other devices in the vehicle. Behaviors such as adjusting mirrors or seats, or trying to punch information into a navigation system, can distract drivers for dangerous lengths of time. These types of behaviors account for another 1 percent of fatal accidents. In a similar category, 2 percent of all fatal crashes are the result of drivers adjusting volume or other settings on their radios and CD players.
• Eating and drinking. Although it’s tempting to eat on the road, especially if you’re in a hurry in the morning or are on a long road trip, it can be quite dangerous. Approximately 2 percent of fatal accidents are the result of eating or drinking while driving.
• Looking at other people in the car. Approximately 5 percent of distracted drivers in fatal crashes had their attention fixed on others in the vehicle. Feel free to talk to your friends while driving, but keep your eyes on the road.
• Rubbernecking. Gawking at things outside of the vehicle is colloquially referred to as “rubbernecking,” and it is particularly dangerous for motorists. About 7 percent of distracted drivers in fatal accidents were engaged in this behavior.
• Daydreaming. A whopping 62 percent of distracted drivers in fatal accidents were simply lost in their own thoughts, to the extent that they were no longer paying attention to the road.

Avoid these deadly driving distractions and keep the roads safer for all. If you have been injured in an accident due to a distracted driver, seek legal counsel from the Atlanta lawyers of McMenamy Law LLC.