Top 10 Deadliest Driving Distractions

Hi this is Mark Thush, I'm an accident attorney practicing personal injury law here in Florida. In today's video we discuss the 10 Deadliest Driving Distractions. 10. Smoking-related Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off your primary task of driving safely. When reviewing law enforcement officers' notes in crash reports involving at least one fatality, a report prepared by Erie Insurance found that 1 percent cited smoking, including gestures related to lighting up and putting ashes in the ashtray. 9. Moving objects Dog owners know the perils of an agitated or overexcited Fido. About 1 percent of crash reports involving at least one fatality analyzed by Erie alluded to "moving objects" such as a dog or pet as the driving distraction. 8. Using devices or controls inside the vehicle Virtually any activity that can take your eyes off the road for even a split-second can put the driver and others in jeopardy. Seemingly innocent behaviors, such as adjusting rear-view mirrors, seats, or using navigation systems accounted for another 1 percent of fatal distractions. 7. Adjusting audio or climate controls Two percent of distracted drivers admitted that switching radio stations or adjusting the stereo volume or vehicle temperature led to a fatal mistake. 6. Eating or drinking Using your car as a moving restaurant is risky business. Another two percent of distracted drivers were either eating or drinking when the fatal crash occurred. 5. Using or reaching for device brought into vehicle Drivers who reached for their GPS device or headphones accounted for about two percent of fatal distractions. 4. Other occupants Talking with friends or looking at other people in the car made bad company for 5 percent of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes. 3. Outside person, object or event It's difficult to resist temptation to gawk at off-road drama or post-wreck cleanup, but 7 percent of the distracted drivers in Erie's report should have avoided rubbernecking. 2. Cell phone use A slew of legislation has been aimed to deter operating a cell phone while driving. Text messaging while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions. Talking, listening, dialing or texting accounted for 12 percent of fatal driving distractions in Erie's report. 1. Generally distracted or "lost in thought" Driving "in a fog" or seemingly on autopilot is, above all, the riskiest driving behavior cited in Erie's report. According to the report, daydreamers accounted for a whopping 62 percent of distracted drivers involved in road fatalities. So what's the answer? Keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road at all times, since the life you save might be your own, a loved one or an innocent bystander. If you have a question about an auto accident that you or a family member was involved in - pick up the phone and call me. I can answer your legal questions. You can reach me at 407-862-2767 or by email that's mark@thushlaw.com. I promise to give you a straight-forward honest and personal answer. That's my guarantee. I'm Mark Thush, thanks for watching, have a great day and I'll see you soon!