From the obvious dangers of smartphone use to the subtle risks of adjusting your GPS, eating a sandwich, or even daydreaming during your commute, understanding the different types of distracted driving is crucial for protecting yourself, your passengers, and other road users. Modern vehicles packed with infotainment systems, along with our increasingly connected lifestyles, have created new challenges that make recognizing and avoiding these distractions more important than ever.
One of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Las Vegas, distracted driving kills over 3,000 people annually in the United States and injures hundreds of thousands more. It’s one of the most preventable yet persistent road safety threats facing drivers today.
Whether you’re navigating the Strip or merging onto I-15, a moment of distraction can cause a lifetime of damage. If you were injured by a distracted driver, call George Bochanis Injury Law offices at 702-388-2005. We’ll fight to hold negligent drivers accountable and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Three Main Types of Distracted Driving?
While texting behind the wheel often dominates headlines, distracted driving encompasses three distinct categories that drivers engage in daily: visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions occur when a driver takes their eyes off the road. In Las Vegas, visual distractions might include:
- Checking GPS or your phone
- Reading text messages or social media notifications
- Looking at roadside attractions, digital billboards, or casino lights
- Searching for items on the floor or in your bag
- Watching passengers or children instead of traffic
Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can mean missing a red light, stop sign, or sudden movement from another vehicle. In fact, at 55 mph, a vehicle travels about the length of a football field in the time it takes to read a text.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions involve removing one or both hands from the steering wheel. Common examples in Nevada include:
- Eating or drinking in the car
- Adjusting climate controls or audio systems
- Grooming—applying makeup, combing hair
- Smoking or vaping
- Reaching into the back seat or glove box
Removing your hands from the wheel reduces your ability to respond quickly to sudden changes, like brake lights ahead, or a pedestrian stepping into the crosswalk.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s focus is taken off the task of driving—even if their eyes are on the road and hands are on the wheel. Examples include:
- Arguing with a passenger
- Daydreaming or mentally “checking out”
- Driving while upset, anxious, or angry
- Singing along to music or participating in hands-free phone calls
- Driving while fatigued or sleep-deprived
Cognitive distractions are especially dangerous because they impair decision-making, delay reaction time, and reduce hazard recognition.
Is Auditory Distraction a Fourth Category?
Some experts argue that auditory distractions, such as loud music, sirens, or a passenger talking loudly, should be considered a separate category. While auditory distractions often overlap with cognitive distractions, they can independently disrupt a driver’s awareness, especially in chaotic traffic conditions like those in Las Vegas.
Distracted Driving Statistics in Nevada
In Las Vegas, research has found:
- Reaching for a moving object while driving increases crash risk by 9x
- Driving drowsy quadruples your chances of a crash
- Looking at something outside the vehicle raises crash risk by 3.7x
- Reading while driving increases crash risk by 3.4x
- Dialing a phone raises your crash likelihood by 2.8x
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel increases crash risk by 1.6x
- Talking on a handheld phone raises crash risk by 1.3x
These behaviors may seem harmless, but the stats tell a different story.
Research by the National highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2020, distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths from accidents. This indicates that 8% of fatal crashes, 14% of crashes resulting in injury, and 13% of all police-reported car crashes were due to distracted driving. Additionally, 6% of drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the accident. Sadly, there were 587 deaths of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-vehicle occupants caused by distracted driving.
Tips to Prevent Distracted Driving
Even experienced drivers can fall into bad habits. To reduce your risk of a distracted driving accident:
- Adjust your GPS, sound system, mirrors, and climate control settings before starting your journey.
- Finish eating meals and snacks, and complete all personal grooming before getting on the road.
- Secure your children and pets, and if they need attention while driving, pull over to address their needs.
- Store all objects and possessions in a secure place to prevent them from rolling around and causing distractions.
- Keep electronic devices out of reach, and if you have a passenger, ask them to handle any texting or calling.
- If you need to use your phone or engage in any other activity that requires your attention, pull over to a safe location and stop the car.
The bottom Line? Give your undivided attention to the road. If you find yourself multitasking while driving, try to allocate extra time in your schedule so that you can focus solely on driving when you’re behind the wheel.
Injured by a Distracted Driver in Las Vegas?
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you have the legal right to pursue compensation. An experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket and household expenses
At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices in Las Vegas, we have over three decades of experience advocating for injured Nevadans. We don’t just negotiate with insurance companies. We fight for maximum compensation, in or out of court.
FAQ About Distracted Driving Accidents in Las Vegas
What is the most common type of distracted driving?
The most common type of distracted driving is texting or using a cell phone while driving. Cell phone use combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, making it especially dangerous.
Are hands-free devices considered a type of distracted driving?
Yes. Even though hands-free devices reduce manual and visual distractions, they still cause cognitive distraction by taking your focus off the road. Studies show that talking on a hands-free phone can impair driving concentration almost as much as handheld use.
Can passengers be a type of distraction while driving?
Yes. Conversations with passengers, especially children or emotional interactions, are a form of cognitive distraction. Disciplining kids, turning to talk, or reacting to loud passengers can significantly impair a driver’s ability to stay alert and responsive.
Is using in-car technology like touchscreens or GPS a distraction?
Definitely. Touchscreen systems, infotainment controls, and navigation inputs involve visual, manual, and sometimes cognitive distraction. Even brief glances at a GPS can delay your reaction time, increasing crash risk—especially in busy areas like Las Vegas.
Call a Las Vegas Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Today
Distracted driving is dangerous, illegal, and preventable. If someone else’s negligence behind the wheel caused your injuries, you deserve answers—and compensation. Contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices now at (702) 388-2005 for a free case evaluation.
We don’t charge a fee unless we win your case.
