Taking your eyes off of the road while driving -- even if only for a second -- greatly increases your risk of getting into an accident. And while we all tend to equate distracted driving with texting while driving, the truth remains that things like typing an address into a GPS or attempting to eat while driving, are also dangerous distractions.

When looking at the implications of distracted driving, it's important to realize that even if you are just quickly pre-setting a radio station, or attempting to open a mustard packet, in those few seconds of not paying attention, your vehicle may have already traveled the length of a football field. Along that length there can be a number of potential accidents that a quick reaction from paying attention would avoid.

And, when it comes to cellphones and driving, while there has been quite a bit of information relayed to the public about the dangers of texting while driving, one must not just discount the dangers of talking on a cellphone and driving. In fact, a university study has even found that a driver talking on a hands-free phone still has the same reaction time as a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.

Fortunately, there are rather simple ways to limit those distractions while driving. For example, just don't use your phone, program your radio stations beforehand, and set up your GPS before starting to drive.

However, also keep in mind that while you may be taking steps to avoid distractions, other drivers may not be. In those situations where their driving conduct leads to an accident, remember that you may be able to hold them liable for your injuries.

Source: WTVA.com, "Distracted driving involves more than texting," C.J. LeMaster, Feb. 5, 2012