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CDC categories for distracted driving in truck accidents

On Behalf of | Jan 29, 2025 | Trucking Accidents |

When many people talk about distracted driving, they focus on specific examples. These could include talking to passengers in the car, texting while driving, eating or drinking coffee, looking at a GPS, changing the radio station and much more. These behaviors are very common, as distracted driving is one of the top causes of serious large truck accidents cited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

That said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) divides distracted driving into three general categories. These encompass many of the specific behaviors noted above.

Manual distractions

These are physical distractions. For example, if a truck driver is holding a cell phone in their hand—which is against FMCSA regulations—they are not holding the steering wheel with both hands. If they are reaching to pick something up off the floor of the cab or lifting a cup of coffee to take a drink, they are physically distracted.

Visual distractions

If a driver is looking at something other than the vehicle’s controls or the road, they are experiencing a visual distraction. This often happens when people glance down at their cell phone screens or GPS devices. It can also occur if a driver gets distracted by other factors outside of the truck, like passing by another accident.

Cognitive distractions

Many distractions have a mental component, meaning the driver isn’t focused on operating the vehicle or isn’t thinking about what they’re doing. For example, a driver who is lost in thought or daydreaming may not appear distracted, but he or she isn’t paying attention to traffic conditions around them.

All of these distractions can cause serious truck accidents. If you’ve been injured, make sure you know what legal steps to take.