When you’re driving in the busy state of New York, it’s imperative to pay close attention behind the wheel of any vehicle. Everyone occasionally falls victim to the dangers of distracted driving, but there’s one dangerous behavior that isn’t often mentioned while talking about distracted driving: rubbernecking. Here’s more information about rubbernecking and how to prevent it from happening.
What is rubbernecking, and why is it so dangerous?
Rubbernecking is a term for what happens when you turn your head away from the road in front of you to look at something outside your vehicle. While it might seem harmless at the moment, rubbernecking can be incredibly dangerous.
One study found that taking your eyes away from the road for only two seconds doubles your chance of getting into an automobile accident. There’s also the fact that rubbernecking causes an estimated 10 to 16% of all accidents on the road.
How to prevent rubbernecking
Considering the dangers of rubbernecking, first responders in certain cities now place barriers around the scenes of motor vehicle accidents. These barriers can help prevent rubbernecking by blocking an accident from view.
The main way to stop rubbernecking from happening is by keeping your eyes on the road in front of you. As tempting as it is to stop and look at an accident or another situation while driving, rubbernecking drastically increases your risk of injuring yourself and others.
To summarize, rubbernecking remains a problem on roads throughout the world because it distracts drivers. If you were recently injured by a distracted driver, it could be a good idea to speak with a lawyer. A lawyer may help you find out if your claim is worth pursuing.