Illinois and many other states noticed a large increase in the number of car accidents throughout 2020 even though drivers put on fewer miles. The fact that people are driving less would lead one to believe that there should be a decrease in accidents. However, researchers are noticing a trend that is thought to be one of the culprits of the uptick in accidents.
More screen time
As a large portion of the workforce transferred to remote positions in 2020, more people were spending time behind the computer screen. With a restriction on in-person meetings, many companies scheduled virtual ones. Unfortunately, experts believe that this increase in screen work caused an uptick in the number of motor vehicle accidents.
Cognitive distraction
When people jump behind the wheel of their vehicle after spending countless hours behind the screen, they’re more likely to experience cognitive distraction. Some drivers call it zoning out or thinking. In any case, focusing on things outside of the task of driving can be called by the term cognitive distraction.
Experts arrived at this conclusion after being informed of study results taken from adult motorists. Out of 1,819 drivers, 54% of them stated that they experienced trouble concentrating while driving after they attended video conferences. The study revealed that the younger the motorist, the more likely they were to have trouble concentrating. Specifically, 65% of Gen Zers and 61% of millennials reported experiencing cognitive distraction after virtual meetings.
Many people are reporting going into a state of cognitive distraction after spending long hours behind the screen. However, drivers have a responsibility to focus while behind the wheel. Individuals who let themselves be distracted and cause an accident may find themselves facing a personal injury lawsuit.