Distracted driving is any activity that could divert your attention away from the primary task of driving. It is something that is both dangerous and disturbingly common. Drivers spend more than half of their time focused on things other than driving.
You may be surprised to learn that cell phones and texting are just part of the problem of distracted driving. While stowing your phone while you drive is an important safety step, other behaviors behind the wheel, from drinking coffee to using a navigation system, may also put you at risk.
“Everything that occupies your mind or your vision can contribute to distraction behind the wheel,” explains Chris Hayes, Safety Professional from Travelers. “While many distracted driving studies focus on cell phones, any type of multi-tasking activity and driving do not mix.” A list of driving distractions may include:
- Dialing or using a smartphone;
- Texting;
- Eating or drinking;
- Talking to passengers;
- Grooming;
- Reading;
- Programming a GPS or navigation system;
- Adjusting a radio or MP3 player.
Cognitive Distraction
It may not be surprising to learn that your brain can only process a certain amount of information at any given time. When we attempt to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, like driving while talking on the phone or eating, we can encounter performance problems. Multiple tasks tend to compete for our brain’s attention.
Visual Distraction
It may sound like an assumed fact, but you have to look where you are going when driving. Regardless, we see people driving without looking where they are going daily. Driving visually distracted can be as dangerous as driving with your eyes closed.
You would not make a turn or change lanes with your eyes closed, yet distracted drivers are, in effect, doing just that. Imagine driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. That is the equivalent of texting while driving at 55 mph. Because texting takes our attention away for an average of 4.6 seconds3, we are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.
Some other common distractions most of us are familiar with include eating, adjusting music or GPS devices, applying makeup, reading, and reaching for moving objects. Each task can dramatically increase your odds of getting into an accident. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it simultaneously requires manual, visual, and cognitive distractions. According to distraction.gov, the U.S. government’s official website on distracted driving.
Cognitive, visual, or both?
Distractions can prevent safe driving in multiple ways. Regardless of how quick or harmless it may seem, any distraction should be avoided when behind the wheel. Remember to keep your eyes and brain focused on the road.
Setting a Good Example
To help prevent distractions, avoid sending text messages or calling someone you know who is on the road. Parents can set a good example for children by modeling attentive driving, including putting away the phone and not eating or grooming behind the wheel. Learn more about talking to your teen driver.
Sources:
1 U.S. Department of Transportation, http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html.
2 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/DistractedDrivingBrochure.pdf.
3 Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations, FMCSA, 2009.