Always On Guard: How Lack Of Attention Can Get Us Injured

We’ve all been there. That split second when we’re not paying attention, accidentally touching a hot stovetop, or walking into traffic. It’s easy to laugh it off, but the fact is that lack of attention can get us injured – sometimes seriously. According to a study by the National Safety Council, more than 4 million people are injured each year due to distractions while driving. And those are just the injuries that are reported – many others go unreported because people don’t realize they’ve been injured. Here are some of the most common ways that lack of attention can lead to injury:

Texting and Driving

Texting and driving are among the most common ways that lack of attention can lead to injury. It’s estimated that around 25 percent of all car accidents are caused by texting and driving. And it’s not just drivers who are at risk – pedestrians, cyclists, and even passengers in the car can be injured or killed due to someone else’s texting and driving.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/people-ride-driving-car-vehicle-2599458/

There are several reasons why texting and driving are so dangerous. For one thing, it takes your focus off the road. You’re not only looking at your phone, but you’re also steering the car, braking, and watching for obstacles. And if you’re texting while driving, you’re probably not paying attention to the speed limit or what’s going on around you.

If you get injured due to a driver’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. You can speak with Florence’s rear-end car accident lawyer to help you understand your legal rights and options. You might be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Another reason texting and driving are so dangerous is that it slows down your reaction time. If you see something happening on the road ahead of you, it will take you longer to react if you’re texting than if you’re not. Research shows that it takes about five seconds to send a text message – which is long enough for a car traveling at highway speeds to cover the length of a football field.

Distracted Walking

Just as texting and driving can lead to injuries, so can texting and walking. Distracted walking has become such a problem that some cities have banned it. And it’s not just texting that can distract walkers – talking on the phone, listening to music, or even just daydreaming can lead to injuries. There are several reasons why distracted walking is so dangerous:

• You’re more likely to trip and fall if you’re not paying attention to where you’re going.
• If you’re looking at your phone or listening to music, you might not hear an oncoming car or another hazard.
• You might not see a hole in the sidewalk or other potential danger if you’re distracted.

If you must walk and talk or text, be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to where you’re going. And if you’re walking in an urban area, be extra careful – cars are often less likely to see pedestrians, and pedestrians are more likely to be injured in a collision with a vehicle.

Inattentional Blindness

Inattentional blindness is a phenomenon that occurs when people fail to see something that’s right in front of them because they’re not paying attention. It might sound hard to believe, but it happens more often than you think. In one famous example, researchers showed people a video of two teams of basketball players passing the ball around. The people watching the video were asked to count how many times the team in white passed the ball. Most people who watched the video missed the fact that a person in a gorilla suit walked across the court – even though the gorilla was visible in the video.

Inattentional blindness can have dangerous consequences. For example, if you’re crossing the street and not paying attention, you might not see a car coming toward you – even if it’s right in front of you. Or, if you’re a driver and you’re not paying attention, you might not see a pedestrian who’s about to step into the street.

To avoid inattentional blindness, paying attention to your surroundings and what’s going on is essential. Look both ways before stepping off the curb if you’re crossing the street. And if you’re driving, be sure to scan the road ahead of you and be on the lookout for pedestrians, cyclists, and other potential hazards.

Lack of attention can have serious consequences. Whether you’re driving, walking, or just going about your everyday activities, it’s essential to pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of your surroundings. By being more attentive, you can help prevent accidents and injuries.