Every time you get behind the wheel, you probably face distractions. From someone sending you text messages to chatty passengers beside you, driving presents constant challenges that can dim your focus. Understanding these common distractions can help you stay safe while driving and protect everyone around you.
Cell Phones
Let’s start with the most talked about distraction: your cell phones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is the most serious offender because it combines three different types of distractions. When you reach for your phone, you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your focus off driving all at once. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, and at 65 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
However, phone use goes beyond just texting. In a recent survey, 76% of respondents admitted to reaching for their phones to check directions, while 43% used it to change a song. Making calls, checking social media, browsing the internet all create dangerous situations. A lot of drivers believe that hands-free technology makes phone use safe. However, studies show that even hands-free conversations can create significant distraction. Your mind isn’t fully focused on the road, which can slow your reaction time when you need it most.
Eating and Drinking Behind the Wheel
We’ve all grabbed breakfast on the way to work or sipped coffee during our morning commute. But eating and drinking while driving creates serious risks. Research shows that eating and drinking usually involves one-handed driving, and dropping food or spilling a beverage can cause drivers to look away from the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that eating or drinking while driving increases the likelihood of crashes or near-miss crashes by nearly 39%.
When you’re unwrapping food, reaching for your drink or trying to clean up a spill, your attention shifts away from the road at critical moments. The solution is simple: take a few extra minutes to eat before you start driving, or pull over to a safe spot if you need a snack.
Passengers and Conversations
Having passengers in your vehicle adds an element of unpredictability when you’re driving. While another set of eyes can sometimes help spot hazards, conversations can easily divert your attention when driving. This is especially true during heated or emotional discussions that demand your attention.
The risk is particularly high for new drivers. Cellphones are one of the biggest causes of distracted driving, but younger drivers need to be even more mindful. It’s not uncommon for younger drivers to lose focus while listening to their favorite song or even with friends riding in the car.
In addition, children and pets can also pull your attention away from the road. Always make sure young passengers are in appropriate safety seats and be sure to keep pets properly restrained when traveling.
Adjusting Vehicle Controls
From climate controls to sophisticated information systems, modern-day vehicles come packed with features that sometimes demand attention. And it’s these types of features and technologies that can also become dangerous distractions. Adjusting the temperature, changing radio stations or trying to program your GPS require you to take your eyes off the road and at least one hand off the wheel.
Adjusting in-vehicle devices could take drivers’ eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, increasing the risk of crashes. The best practice is to set up all your controls before you start driving. If you need to make adjustments during your trip, find a safe place to pull over first.
Daydreaming and Mental Distractions
Sometimes the biggest distraction comes from inside your own head. Your mind naturally wanders, especially on familiar routes where you might go on mental autopilot. By far the biggest cause of distracted driving is when a driver’s mind wanders too long and it leads to a collision.
Interestingly, drivers actually spend a little more than half of their time behind the wheel paying attention to something other than the road. Staying mentally engaged when driving requires conscious effort, particularly on long trips or routine commutes.
External Distractions and Rubbernecking
The world outside your vehicle is full of things competing for your attention. Billboards, scenic views and even accidents can pull your eyes away from the road ahead. Rubbernecking is responsible for 16% of all distracted driving accidents.
It’s natural to be curious about what’s happening around you, but slowing down to look at an accident can cause a chain reaction. Other drivers behind you may divert their attention to the incident rather than watching the vehicle in front of them, which can lead to additional accidents.
Personal Grooming
While it might seem convenient to touch up your makeup or fix your hair while driving, personal grooming is a recipe for disaster when you’re behind the wheel. These activities require you to take at least one hand off the wheel and often involve looking away from the road to use mirrors or check your appearance. Some drivers even take both hands off the wheel, balancing it with their knees, which is extremely dangerous.
Smoking While Driving
Beyond the well-known health risks, smoking while driving means one hand is frequently off the wheel. Lighting a cigarette, flicking ashes and possibly dropping cigarettes all create moments where your attention shifts away from driving. Play it safe and wait until you reach your destination before lighting up.
What You Can Do
The good news is that most distracted driving crashes are preventable. Start by committing to keeping your phone out of reach while driving. Use Do Not Disturb mode or place your phone in the glove compartment. You should set your GPS, adjust your mirrors and choose your music before you start your car.
If you’re a parent, you should lead by example. Your son or daughter are watching how you handle distractions, and your behavior sets the standard they’ll follow when they’re alone. Talk openly about the responsibilities that come with operating a vehicle.
Remember that driving always requires your full attention. You can’t drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Every call, every text, and or glance away from the road can wait. Your safety should always be your first priority.
By staying aware of these common distractions and making a conscious effort to minimize them, you’ll not only protect yourself but also keep other drivers safe as well. The next time you’re tempted to multitask behind the wheel, remember that no distraction is worth risking your life.
