Everyone daydreams at times. Many people do it at work or in school. Some do it while they’re driving the car. This is especially true on roads that these people drive on all the time, as it can become boring and routine, and their minds tend to wander.
However, this is very dangerous. Studies have found that getting lost in thought is one of the main forms of distracted driving. It can lead to car accidents, injuries and even deaths. It may not seem like a big deal to think about your weekend plans or what you want to eat for dinner while driving, but you really need to focus on the road.
Why is it so dangerous?
The biggest reason why daydreaming is dangerous is that it can reduce your reaction times. If you come over a hill and there are a lot of cars stopped in a traffic jam, you need to start hitting the brakes as soon as possible to avoid a rear-end accident. If you’re thinking about something else, it may delay that reaction by just a second or two, but that can be enough to cause a crash.
You can miss all sorts of other critical issues on the road. Some people have been so lost in thought that they have run stop signs or red lights. You’re also not as much of a defensive driver when you’re thinking about things other than driving.
So what if someone else hits you?
Understanding this risk may help you avoid daydreaming when you’re driving, but other people will still do it. If someone else hits you, you may have a right to financial compensation.