It is too easy to get distracted while driving; it’s, therefore, essential to recognize the danger of distractions and minimize them.
Before you get into your car, you need to make sure that you are well prepared by testing your concentration with the following questions from Arrive Alive:
- Are you always prepared to avoid a car swerving before you?
- How about braking for a pedestrian who suddenly steps into your path?
- Can you steer safely clear of debris falling from a truck?
Types of distractions posing a risk to road safety:
Physical distractions
- Cellphones - With almost everyone having smartphones today, staying connected is easy, but this can be a big distraction when driving. According to Arrive Alive, an international survey amongst 837 drivers with cell phones found that almost half swerved or drifted into another lane, 23% had tailgated, 21% cut someone off and 18% nearly hit another vehicle while using the phone. The best advice is to avoid using your cell phone when driving or put it on silent if you are easily tempted.
- Tuning the music - We all love to enjoy our favourite music when we are driving to or from work, going to do an errand or taking a road trip, but this can be a dangerous distraction if we fiddle with our radio or phone, trying to skip to our favourite song while driving. To avoid this, choose your favourite songs in advance or preset your favourite radio stations to avoid fiddling with your radio while driving. Also, keep your volume to a reasonable level to allow total concentration.
- Eating or drinking beverages – You overslept, must rush to work, and do not have time to sit down and eat breakfast; your best option is to grab something and eat while you drive to work. This is tempting for many but very dangerous when focusing on the road. Fumbling with napkins, wrappers, and beverages means you’re not watching the road. Consider eating before you drive to work or if you have a few minutes to spare, eat in your car just before you enter your workplace. For long road trips, have regular stops to drink and eat.
- Tending to small children and infants – Screaming and crying can be a big distraction when driving. When travelling with children, plan activities to keep them occupied. If you have older children, you can use them as a second pair of eyes to watch the younger ones.
Mental and emotional distractions:
- Strong emotions of anger and stress – We all have hard days, which can make us intolerant and more likely aggressive toward other drivers. If you feel overwhelmed and emotionally out of control, it is best to cool off before you get inside your car. In emotional situations, we are more likely to make bad decisions that can lead to permanent consequences. It is, therefore, best to clear your head before you get behind the wheel.
- Driver tiredness/ drowsiness – Fatigue can have a costly effect on our safety, health, and quality of life. The adverse outcomes can be the same whether it is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work or night outs with friends. Impaired cognition and performance may cause serious car accidents; therefore, it is essential to have enough sleep before driving exceptionally long distances.
- Arguments while driving – Driving requires maximum concentration. And no matter how good you are at multi-tasking; you cannot drive and argue simultaneously. Difficult conversations or arguments can make you feel stressed and tense, taking away concentration on the road. If difficult conversations need to be had, it is best to leave them for later.
Your safety, your passenger’s safety and other drivers’ safety are paramount, so it is all our responsibility to ensure we never intentionally put anyone in danger on the road. Always be alert and ensure you are in a good emotional state before you get behind the wheel. If something happens while driving, consider stopping where it is safe and deal with the situation. Make sure you do all you can to arrive safely at your destination with every drive.
Article credit : Arrive Alive
