The Cause and Effects of Distracted Driving Essay

The Cause and Effects of Distracted Driving - Essay Example In this regard, the current essay hereby aims to proffer pertinent issues relative to distracted driving; including its accurate definition, the significant and main causes of distractions, the risk factors, and ways within which distracted driving activities could be prevented. According to the US Official Website on Distracted Driving, the term ‘distracted driving’ specifically means â€Å"any activity that could divert a persons attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety† (par. 1). As disclosed, the types of activities identified as causing distractions to driving include the following: texting; using a cell phone or smartphone; eating and drinking; talking to passengers; grooming; reading, including maps; using a navigation system; watching a video; and adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player (Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving par. 2). On the other hand, the CDC has identified and classified the three main types of distraction as: visual distraction, manual distraction and cognitive distraction (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) par. 2). For visual distractions, these involve activities that cause the driver to take his or her eyes off from the road. Manual distraction, on the other hand, simply means that the hands of driver are taken off the steering wheel. Finally, cognitive distractions are activities that take the drivers’ mind off from what should be focused on. Due to the seriousness of the potential repercussions that result in injuries, not only of the drivers and passengers of the vehicles, but even bystanders and pedestrians, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a clearly defined policy statement that highlights the primary responsibility of drivers, as well as the task of driving, to wit: â€Å"The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of