Distracted driving refers to those movements which redirect your focus while driving. It’s said that most drivers experience distractions 10% of the time they’re on the road. That explains why distracted driving is a significant cause of accidents. While cellphones are the primary cause of distracted driving, drivers may experience distractions from other things.
Apart from cell phones, other dangerous distractions include visual distractions, cognitive distractions, and manual distractions.
In this blog post, we’ll cover all of them to help you understand:
Visual Distractions
It’s very easy for surrounding visual activities to divert your attention while driving on the road. Such things include:
- Turning your head to check your family at the back seats
- Focusing on an accident by the roadside
- Starting at wildlife and other beautiful scenery
- Voice texting
- Using your GPS and map controls while driving
Mental Distractions
Often, we undergo a lot of stress in our lives or at work. As a result, we develop strong emotions which may distract us while on the road. It’s easy to redirect your attention off the road, especially when something is troubling you.
Here are a few examples:
- Engaging in a conflict with road passengers
- Experiencing a stressful day at work
- Driving after a quarrel
- Thinking about a saddening event.
Manual Distractions
Whenever you’re in a hurry, there’s a huge possibility that you will try to multi-task to get things done quickly. Often, doing so may redirect your focus off the road. Some of these manual distractions include:
- Drinking or eating while driving
- Tuning the radio, adjusting the vehicle temperature, or mirrors
- Smoking
- Taking pictures and responding to text messages
- Trying to get something that fell off the vehicle
Mobile Phone Distractions
Mobile phones have become a critical aspect of our lives in this modern digital age. We carry and use them all the time. Although we know it’s the number one cause of distractions, we still use them even during driving. Texting and calling while driving has led to many injuries and thousands of deaths.
While it’s often overlooked, teenagers should realize the dangers of using their phones while driving. The best way is for parents to lead by example—they should minimize talking and texting while on the road. That way, teenagers will learn that it’s not safe to use the phone while driving.
There are things you can do before hitting the road to avoid various distractions. They include:
- Responding to calls and messages that require immediate responses. You can reply to the less important calls and text messages when you’re off the road.
- Ensuring your passengers tighten their seat belts.
- Eating and drinking before driving
- Adjusting your radio and music before driving
- Applying your makeup before you hit the road.
- Finding the route and address before you get on the driveway.
Conclusion
Distracted driving is a leading cause of injuries and deaths on the road. Everyone has a role to play—let’s join hands to emphasize safe driving by raising awareness against distracted driving. By doing so, we’ll protect our loved ones and our own lives.