Top Ten Driver Distractions | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

According to a recent study by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the most common distraction for drivers is reaching for a moving object, such as a spilled drink.   Reaching for a moving object increases the risk of crashes and near-crashes by ten times.

The following are the most common activities that lead to crashes and near-crashes, in order of frequency:

• “Using a wireless device, such as a cell phone
• Chatting and interacting with passengers
• Reaching for CDs, or other internal distractions
• Programming radio stations and tinkering with your dashboard
• Using an electric razor or checking lipstick,or other actions related to hygiene
• Unwrapping a burger or other things when eating at the wheel
• External distractions such as pointing out a funny billboard
• Talking or singing to yourself
• Smoking
• Daydreaming”