In addition to talking, texting and sending emails while driving, motorists are engaging in an even more dangerous feat. Social media sites are filled with thousands of posts from people taking selfies while behind the wheel.
According to CBS News, there are more than 72,000 posts from motorists taking selfies while driving in Texas and throughout the United States. Not only do these motorists put their lives in danger, but they endanger the lives of everyone on the road.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving occurs when motorists are involved in tasks other than driving while navigating the roadways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report three types of distractions, including manual, visual and cognitive.
Manual distractions involve tasks that require drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel, while visual distractions require drivers to take their eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions, on the other hand, occur when motorists are not focused on driving.
Why are selfies so dangerous?
Selfies involve all three types of distractions. Drivers must take their hands off the steering wheel to get their cameras ready and to snap a pic, and take their eyes off the road to pose for their selfie. Furthermore, motorists take their concentration off of driving to complete all of the tasks.
While drivers are doing these things, they are unable to respond to hazardous events, such as bad weather conditions, other drivers and objects in the road. They are also less likely to stop for traffic signals, pedestrians and bicyclists. This greatly increases the risk of serious car accidents, injuries and deaths.
