You know that texting and talking on the phone are distracted driving behaviors banned by many states, but every day, other driving habits can also cause accidents. Baton Rouge car accident lawyers urge drivers to avoid some of the more common habits that run the risk of drivers causing serious accidents.

According to the National Safety Council, an accident involving cell phones and texting occurs every 30 seconds, but there are also others types of distracted driving habits that make driving unsafe and reckless:

• Reading. Drivers read text messages, maps, a GPS device and even the newspaper while they drive, which takes their eyes off the road for seconds at a time.
• Eating and drinking. The morning coffee and muffin, or soda and sandwich can also distract commuters. Eating and drinking while operating a motor vehicle causes many traffic accidents each year.
• Writing. Making a quick note can also be dangerous because your eyes are on the paper, not the road.
• Your mind on something else. Daydreaming, or thinking about something other than driving, is mindless driving and slows response times.
• Changing music or adjusting the radio. These behaviors cause both pedestrian and traffic accidents every day.
• Emotions. Any strong emotion, whether road rage, sadness or fear means that drivers are not fully focused on the road.
• Passengers. Passengers, especially children, distract drivers with conversation or sudden unexpected movement that pulls focus from the road.

This list is not all-inclusive, and many drivers are unaware these habits may put them at risk for an accident. Baton Rouge auto accident attorneys urge all drivers to focus on the road and to curtail their distracted driving habits in order to reduce the risk of accidents and serious injury.

The Baton Rouge legal team at Marks and Lear PLC is committed to helping clients get the compensation they deserve after an auto accident and offer free consultations.