Distracted driving

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a dangerous activity that involves the driver of a vehicle being engaged in other activities that divert their attention away from the primary task of driving.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈstraktɪd ˈdraɪvɪŋ/

Etymology

The term "distracted driving" is derived from the English words "distracted" and "driving". "Distracted" comes from the Latin word "distractus", past participle of distrahere, meaning "to pull in different directions". "Driving" is derived from the Old English word "drifan", meaning "to move, proceed, act".

Definition

Distracted driving refers to the act of driving while engaged in other activities—such as eating, talking on the phone, texting, or using a GPS—that take the driver's attention away from the road. It is one of the leading causes of road traffic accidents worldwide.

Types of Distraction

There are three main types of distraction:

• Visual: taking your eyes off the road;
• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and
• Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving.

Related Terms

• Texting while driving
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Road safety
• Traffic collision

See Also

• Driving under the influence
• Traffic law
• Driver's license

References

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• World Health Organization

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Distracted driving
• Wikipedia's article - Distracted driving

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