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01/19/2014
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This Normal Brain Function Contributes to More Than Half of Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving, drowsy driving and drunk driving are all bad driving behavior that we know to be dangerous. Resulting in thousands of accidents and fatalities, these behaviors have received awareness across the world. But is another bad driving habit being forgotten? A study conducted by Erie Insurance Group says that daydreaming accounts for 62 percent of distracted driving accidents.

Daydreaming is a normal function of the brain in which you are aware of your environment, but not alert what is happening. You may remember a long drive in which you suddenly snapped to attention, but could not remember parts of the drive. You, like millions of others, have fallen prey to distracted driving. While an emergency will jolt you back into awareness, reaction time and perception are lessened.

Minimizing Daydream Driving

Since daydreaming is a normal brain function, it cannot be eliminated. However, taking certain precautions can help minimize the distraction. Here’s what you can do:

  • Don’t gaze at the same spot – keep your eyes moving every few seconds. Staring will let your mind wander.
  • Stay alert to possible scenarios. Consider what would happen if an oncoming truck crosses the middle line. What if the car in front of you slams on the brakes? Not only does visualizing these scenarios keep your mind alert, it also prepares your brain with valuable data if something did happen and you had to react.
  • Eat something. Crunchy foods and chewing gum have been shown to help keep you alert.
  • Alternate driving routes to fight the boredom of a habitual drive. The mind is more likely to wander when seeing recurring conditions.

At Ray Hodge & Associates, we believe in personal injury handled personally. At our office you see a lawyer from the very first meeting because we believe your case deserves an experienced personal injury attorney right from the start.

If you have had a Kansas distracted driving injury that was not your fault and need medical treatment, you need an experienced professional who can help you get back on the road to recovery. Call us today at 316-269-1414 or visit our contact page here. Our Kansas personal injury attorneys will provide you a free initial consultation and if we take your case you don’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you. Even then we only take a percentage of the total amount of your recovery.

If you have questions on what you should be looking for when you are making a decision to hire a Kansas personal injury lawyer, read our article located here.

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Ray Hodge & Associates proudly represents victims and their families across the state of Kansas, including Wichita, Andover, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Newton, El Dorado and Hutchinson. Call today for a free consultation all over the state of Kansas. We have proudly served clients in Sedgwick, Butler, Sumner, Harvey, Kingman and Reno Counties.