Reno Officers Are Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers

When it comes to distracted driving, most people immediately think of texting while driving. While texting is a big—and the most dangerous—culprit, there’s much more at play. In fact, there are four types of distracted driving that lead to the majority of distracted-driving accidents.

To help combat the issue, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is cracking down on all forms of distracted driving to make drivers more aware of the dangers, consequences, and to help keep the streets of Reno, NV, a little safer. Over the course of nine days in June, during the county’s distracted driving campaign, over 50 citations were issued after 46 traffic stops. The sheriff’s office stated that distracted driving contributes to half of the 6 million reported accidents in the country every year, and it’s completely preventable.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes away your full attention from driving safely. When driving, your attention should always be 100% on the road and not anywhere else. For example, any time a driver checks a cell phone or turns to talk to a passenger, that driver is distracted. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds; that’s like driving the length of a football field without looking. While it may not seem like a quick glance away from the road could cause a fatal accident, the NHTSA reported over 20,000 people died in accidents that involved a distracted driver from 2012-2022.

There are four “categories” of distracted driving:

Visual distracted driving

A visual distraction is simply when a driver takes his or her eyes off the road. Checking phone notifications and texting are most commonly what people think of, but there’s much more that fall into this category. Even if a driver is using a phone mount, following a GPS can be distracting—especially if they’re looking ahead at directions while they’re already on the road. Sightseeing while driving can also put people at risk, as can “rubbernecking” at accidents or strange sights along the road. (This is a particular risk in Las Vegas and Reno, we know.)

Manual distracted driving

A manual distraction is when a driver takes either one or both hands off the wheel. Drivers who eat or drink while driving, or put on makeup at red lights and stop signs, are engaging in manual distracted driving. So, too, are drivers who text or answer emails behind the wheel.

Auditory distracted driving

An audible distraction is a sound that takes away a driver’s attention from driving. Listening to music while driving is one of the best ways to pass time, but listening to music at an excessively high volume can become a big distraction. (It’s why so many people turn the radio down when they’re driving someplace new.) It’s been proven by a small study in 2017 that audible sounds actually do distract people from focusing on a task. Other distractions may include chatty or demanding passengers, pets which aren’t crated in the back seat, or even sirens from a passing cop car or ambulance.

Cognitive distracted driving

A cognitive distraction occurs when a person’s mind drifts off. Truckers and commuters are especially prone to a phenomenon called highway hypnosis, which “commonly occurs when driving on open highways for an extended period of time. In this condition, the driver operates the vehicle in a dulled, drowsy, trance-like state.”

How can I tell if other drivers in Reno are distracted?

Distracted driving can have some tell-tale signs. Vehicles that drift and then suddenly jerk back into their lane, or who slow down and then suddenly speed up over and over (and over) again, very likely have distracted drivers. If you are traveling behind a driver and you cannot see the driver’s head, or you can see them moving a lot in their seats, you’re probably behind a distracted driver. Vehicles with a lot of passengers and pets may have drivers who are more likely to be distracted. And if you are passing a wreck on the side of the road, chances are good that your fellow drivers are taking a good, hard look.

How to prevent distracted driving in Reno

Distracted driving is preventable. When driving, remember the only focus should be on the road and getting to the  destination safely. The text can wait. The snack can wait. The volume can be lowered. The only thing drivers should be thinking about is driving safely. No matter how good you think you are, multi-tasking is just not worth the risk.

What do I do if I am injured by a distracted driver in Reno?

If you sustain injuries in any car accident, the very first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Your injuries may not be fully apparent to you in the moment, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. You may have suffered a concussion or have internal bleeding, both of which can have serious (if not life-threatening) consequences. Call 9-1-1 to alert both the local law enforcement and EMS that you are hurt.

The next thing you should do is ask a passenger (if you have one) to take photos or videos of your vehicle, your injuries, and the scene of the accident. These videos and pictures, along with your medical records, will be helpful to you later when you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. We can assist you with this, because our Reno car accident attorneys know exactly what insurance companies will do to avoid paying out a claim. One of the things we can do is request the other driver’s cell phone logs to see if he or she was on the phone when the crash occurred. If the collision involves a truck, we can request both the cell phone and the black box data.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a distracted driving accident, our car accident attorneys in Reno and Las Vegas can help. Call the office of Claggett & Sykes Law Firm in Reno at 775-322-2923, or fill out our contact form. Or, if you have suffered an injury in Las Vegas, call our Las Vegas car accident attorneys at 702-333-7777.