What are inattentive driving behaviors?

We’ve all been there before: you glance to the car next to you and see the driver with their head down, busy doing this or that. The roads of Louisiana can be dangerous for multiple reasons, and inattentive drivers like them can be a huge contributor.

Inattentive driving is defined by the National Institutes of Health as any action which takes the driver’s attention away from the road. This can be for any length of time and in any capacity. While most people think of inattentive driving as behavior that takes your eyes away from the road for an extended period of time, it only takes a few seconds for a crash to happen.

There are a few behaviors or actions commonly associated with distracted driving. At the top of the list is texting, or otherwise checking your mobile devices while on the road. However, here are a few more lesser known ones:

• Changing your music
• Eating or drinking
• Doing your makeup or hair
• Engaging with passengers
• Trying to find lost items

Though some of these may come to mind immediately, like changing your music or texting, others may be considered a little less common. For example, many people eat or drink in their car every day. It’s also usually considered natural or even expected for a driver to hold conversations with passengers while they’re in the vehicle, even on commercial rides.

Crashes that result from inattentive driving can leave those involved with severe physical, mental, and emotional trauma. If you have suffered from any of these due to your involvement in a crash, consider contacting an attorney to discuss financial compensation.