There are many instances where multi-tasking is a great idea, but it is never a good idea while driving. Are you guilty of using your rearview mirror as a vanity for applying makeup? You may be putting yourself and other drivers at risk.
With morning routines demanding so much juggling, many women leave themselves with no time to apply makeup at home, and instead opt to put it on during their morning commute. In fact, according to a UK study, nearly half of women have admitted to it even though they know it is unsafe.
How Dangerous is Distracted Driving?
Distraction.gov, a U.S. government website dedicated to distracted driving, reports that in 2011, more than 3,000 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers, and an additional 416,000 suffered injuries. While the government does not specifically track statistics involving drivers distracted by cosmetics, it is clearly not a good idea.
Many women admit to applying cosmetics while stopped at traffic signals or while stuck in traffic, but others also apply while the vehicle is in motion. Unfortunately, it is all too common for drivers to steer their vehicles with their knees or one hand while applying eyeliner or swiping on a coat of lipstick.
While there are some drivers that claim that their driving skills are not affected by these types of distractions, the truth is that they are dangerous. Distracted drivers rob themselves of the ability to quickly identify and respond to potential hazards on the road and greatly increase their chances of getting into a car accident. Consider how terrifying it would be for a mascara wand to injure a driver’s eye in a collision!
Any kind of distraction, whether in the form of a cell phone or a tube of mascara, takes the driver’s primary attention away from the task of driving and doubles the reaction time a driver needs to stop their vehicle. Women who use the rearview mirror to apply cosmetics tilt the mirror away from the proper angle, blocking their view of the back of the vehicle and leaving them oblivious to tailgating drivers or approaching emergency vehicles. Additionally, using the mirror in the visor also blocks a significant portion of their frontal field of vision, making them less likely to see and respond to an oncoming hazard.
Contact Simeone & Miller If You Were Hit by a Distracted Driver!
If you have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, please contact the Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers at Simeone & Miller, LLP for a free consultation. We can help you determine who was at fault in your accident and may be able to help you obtain compensation for your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and more.