Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving comes in many forms these days. Years ago, we only had to be concerned with basic distractions such as driving while eating, rubber-necking due to a car accident, and conversations with other passengers in the vehicle. But after cell phones became the norm, the terms distracted driving accidents became part of the vernacular. According to the CDC, over 400,000 Americans were killed or injured in car accidents caused by driver distraction. When most of us hear, “driver distraction” we immediately think of texting and driving. While texting or any cell phone use while driving is a very dangerous driving behavior, it is not the only thing that causes distracted driving accidents, especially these days. Because distracted driving has contributed to so many accidents causing serious injury, the CDC has issued several reports on the problem. Currently, the CDC defines “distracted driving” as anything that takes the driver’s focus away from the act of safe driving behaviors. They further explain that the distractions occur in three main forms: visual, cognitive, and manual. Visual distractions can be anything that causes the driver to divert their sight from the road, manual distractions cause the driver to take their hands off the wheel and cognitive distractions are distractions that cause the driver to think about something other than the task of driving.
How Does Using Video Conferencing Apps Like Zoom and WebEx Affect My Driving?
First of all, no one should try to participate in a videoconference call while driving. Full stop. This would be an example of all modes of driver distraction and is extremely dangerous. Recent studies have revealed that the cognitive distraction can linger long after a videoconference call is over. During the pandemic, video conferences became the norm, not the occasional exception and users began to report excess fatigue after using the virtual technology. The symptoms of this phenomena include but are not limited to muscle aches, eye strain, forgetfulness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Researchers are just beginning to discover the reasons why and at this time believe that our brains have to “work harder” to take in visual and auditory cues through a screen than has to when meetings occur in person.
I Have to Use Video Conferences for Work. What Can I Do to Avoid Becoming a Zoom Zombie?
To avoid the brain drain that is associated with using virtual technology, experts advise to simply be smart about scheduling it and not over-using it.
- Don’t overload your schedule with video conference calls. Working 9-5 has taken on a whole new meaning since the onset of COVID. Anyone that is working from home feels pressure to prove that they are “on” and being a productive, but don’t loose sight of actual productivity.
- Turn your video feed off if allowed for certain meetings.
- After your video conference call, go for a brisk walk outside. Leave your phone in your pocket. Make an effort to look at the spring blooms, birds flying above, and wave at passers by. All of these behaviors will help to re-center your mind so you will be able to focus on the next task.
- Set a schedule for work. Having everything you need at home can be tempting to extend the work day into the work night. Allow time for rest, relaxation and to connect with family.
- Make sure that you are awake and alert before getting behind the wheel. When driving make an effort to focus on the road, the weather conditions and other vehicles around you. The phone, as always, should be on silent and placed out of reach. Rest assured, it will still be there when you reach your destination safely.
About the Author
Paul Thomson founded the Thomson Law Firm in 2010 to help victims in Virginia and West Virginia obtain top dollar compensation for personal injury lawsuits. He has a total of 26 years in practice and has had many settlements recover more than a million dollars. Most notably, in 2014, he was able to negotiate a settlement in the amount of $21 Million dollars for injuries sustained in a crash that involved a cyclist and a bread truck. Read more about Paul’s results here.
