What are some Driver Distractions
A high number of motor vehicle accidents are caused by simple distraction of the driver. There are a several of things that we should be cautious of and avoid in order to make the roads safer for ourselves and other drivers.
Stop talking on the cell phone - your mind is busy processing information and forming a response to the person on the other end, which takes your focus off of the road. If you must make a call, pull over in an area that does not impede traffic.
Do not engage in texting - When having to look at your cell phone to send or receive messages you to take your eyes off the road and are twice as likely to be in an accident than if you were paying proper attention.
Kids - Screaming, crying, fighting, asking questions, these are things all parents have to deal with at some point when their children are in the car. If you need to discipline them, you should first pull the car over and come to a stop.
Calm down before driving - Being angry, upset or otherwise overly emotional can be a big distraction. When thinking about the fight you just had with your spouse, or being extremely worried about your child, it is hard to concentrate on the road and other cars around you.
Do not apply makeup - yes, people actually do this while attempting to drive. Looking in the rear-view mirror and focusing on the application of your makeup is a definite unsafe distraction.
Don't drive when you are tired - When really sleepy our reactions are slower and our minds are generally focused on how tired we are and the act of trying to staying awake.
Reading maps while moving - Going somewhere that you are unfamiliar with you often use a map as your guide. However, the car should be pulled over and stopped before you try to route out your trip.
Passengers - sometimes for whatever reason, the passenger in the car we are driving can be distracting. Arguing with them, joking around and a number of other things can take your attention off the road.
All of the factors above set the stage for what could become a fatal mistake. It only takes an instant for you to look away, and a vehicle accident could happen, that fast. Statistics show that the majority of motor vehicle accidents were preventable had the driver used better judgment and not been distracted.
