When people get behind the wheel in Wisconsin, they can face dangerous roadways. One of the most significant threats to highway safety that has escalated along with technological advances has been the rise in distracted driving. When truck drivers are distracted, the risks can be especially great. Passenger cars involved in crashes with large trucks are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic damage. While reducing distracted driving overall is a national safety priority, safety experts agree that it’s particularly important for trucking companies.

Public awareness initiatives against distracted driving have been widely promoted. Even though American drivers seem to recognize how dangerous the practice is, many continue to drive while texting, web surfing or using the phone. One AAA study showed that 88 percent of respondents labeled distraction as the most serious threat to road safety. Nevertheless, drivers tend to believe that they are an exception to the rule and that they are able to manage technology use without being dangerously distracted. These kinds of beliefs can be especially common and dangerous among experienced drivers familiar with the roads.

There are three types of distraction: visual, cognitive and manual. It can be easy to understand how visual and manual distraction can keep a driver’s eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. However, even purely cognitive distractions can reduce a person’s ability to judge emergency situations. Drivers should understand how distraction functions in order to understand why they cannot allow themselves to give in while operating a vehicle.

When a truck is involved in a crash, the stakes for others on the road can escalate dramatically to severe injuries and lifelong disabilities. Someone who has been injured in a truck accident due to another’s negligent driving can work with a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for their damages.