Some drivers may think things like cell phones, noisy passengers and loud music may be the major causes of distracted driving, but in reality, the biggest issue is a bit more abstract. According to a recent study from the Erie Insurance Group, 62 percent of fatal crashes that resulted from distracted driving were caused because the motorist got lost in thought.
While daydreaming was the no. 1 cause of fatal crashes, cell phones were a distant second, causing 12 percent of the accidents. Other distractions, like passengers or pets in the vehicle, eating while driving and trying to get a look at nonessential happenings on the road, also were responsible for some crashes.
"Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off the primary task of driving," said Doug Smith, senior vice president of the Erie Insurance Group, as quoted by AOL Autos. "We hope the data will encourage people to avoid these high-risk behaviors that needlessly increase their risk of being involved in a fatal crash."
Bloomberg recommends that people treat driving as a complicated task that requires constant complete attention. Not only can this keep motorists safe, but it can also cut down on auto repair needed, saving drivers time, money and aggravation.