4 Types of Driving Distractions
content.team • August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

4 Types of Driving Distractions

Today, there are so many things that can distract us while we are driving. Today’s new vehicles have built-in touch screens, fancy audio systems, television screens in the back, and more. Motorists have a responsibility to use these features safely, which means keeping your focus on the task of driving when you’re behind the wheel. But electronics are not the only source of distraction. Consider these different types of inattention:

  • Manual: Until fully autonomous vehicles become the norm, we’re still responsible for handling the vehicle! Driving requires you to keep your hands on the wheel and steer. Manual distraction includes sending or reading a text message, using a touch screen, reaching toward other seats or the floors, eating or drinking, swiping a screen, applying cosmetics, etc.

  • Visual: Driving obviously requires you to keep your eyes on the road. Lots of things can be visually distracting, including reading or sending text messages, looking at a map or directions, looking in the rearview, looking in the backseat at roughhousing kids, rubbernecking, or daydreaming.

  • Auditory: Auditory distractions overlap with cognitive inattention. Hearing a troublesome engine noise, listening to a captivating podcast or radio show, trying to resolve an argument amongst your children – these auditory distractions make it difficult to concentrate on the task of driving. 

  • Mental/cognitive: Taking your mind off the task of driving is very dangerous. Cognitive distractions include daydreaming, replaying a conversation in your head, revisiting something that occurred at work, reading or sending a text message, having a conversation, and reading a map or directions.

As you can see, there is quite a bit of overlap between the 4 types of distractions. Driving remains a skilled activity requiring our concentration. Staying focused on the road will go a long way in preventing distracted driving crashes.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted or otherwise careless motorist, please contact our attorneys for a case review. We will assess what took place and describe your options for pursuing injury compensation. Reach us in New York at 518-792-1174, or in Florida, at 305-751-8556. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum are passionate advocates for accident victims.

Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than 
lawyer discussion with client gavel pen and law scale on the table
By shreya kapoor February 15, 2026
When an accident causes serious harm, many people expect injury claims to resolve quickly. Delays can be frustrating, especially as medical expenses and lost income continue to grow. In reality, the timeline for resolving injury claims varies widely depending on several important factors, and a longer process does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong. Established in 1911, […] The post Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than Others to Resolve appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person wearing a neck brace and arm sling sits at a desk with paperwork and a pen.
By content.team January 15, 2026
A letter denying an injury claim can be frightening, especially as medical bills mount and missed paychecks add up. For people in Glens Falls and Chestertown, New York, and Miami Shores, Florida, a denied insurance claim after a product-related accident often raises urgent questions about what to do next.  McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP has represented clients in the […] The post What Happens When An Insurance Company Denies Your Injury Claim appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person holding their head in pain after stepping out of a blue car with a deployed airbag and smoke in the background.
By content.team December 15, 2025
After a motor vehicle accident, many people assume that only the drivers involved can be held responsible. In reality, a careless company, property owner, or government entity may also contribute to the crash. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, established in 1911, is the longest-serving law firm in the Greater Glens Falls region and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating for […] The post Third-Party Liability: When Someone Other Than The Driver Is To Blame appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
Show More →