Distracted Driving
Distracted Driving – What is it and how to avoid it?
Distracted Driving – When you are driving you must be fully aware of the driving conditions and environment all the time. If you lose concentration and wander around, even for a short while things could be different and you might need to face a difficult driving situation. Distraction is bad for driving and you should actively try to avoid one. Before discussing further on distracted driving, let us first find out what could cause the distraction.
Distracted Driving Categories:
We can divide distraction, basically, into two categories. One caused by the in-car environment and outside environment.
In-car environment distractions:
- Passengers/Children/Pets – Talking actively with the passengers in one of the common distractions. You might not be focusing fully on driving while talking and every now and then your attention might go away from driving. That could be crucial in certain decisive situations. Sometimes you might be emotionally involved in your discussion and driving while being emotionally charged is not an ideal thing. Avoid discussing or lengthy talking if it is not necessary while driving. You can reach the destination and discuss at ease. Besides, children could be a big distraction. They are unpredictable. Your attention can be easily diverted from active driving when children create scenes inside the car. Find someone whenever possible to take care of the children. Make them sit comfortably and safely before driving. Pets can be dangerous, so do not make them your regular passengers if it is not necessary.
- Mobile Communications – Let’s accept it – this is one of the most common distractions while driving. Even if you are well prepared and use the hands free mode, if you involve talking too much, then you could be easily distracted. There are also equal chances of getting text messages, checking it and even replying to it. All of those are potential causes of distraction. Make a good habit of not using mobile devices while driving. If it is absolutely necessary, then stop in a safe area and use it.
- Eating/Drinking/Grooming – Everything has a place and time. These are the things a driver must avoid while driving. These things help driving distraction. You cannot do two things together. Your attention get divided and you cannot focus fully on your driving while doing any of these or other things. Plan ahead and do things that are important first.
Listening to music or radio – In general this is not that bad as a driving distraction. But one cannot be an active listener while driving. The focus should always be on your driving. Do not try to play with keys or change music or channels while driving.
Outside Environment Distraction:
One can manage the in-car distraction with discipline and creating habits and rules. These kind of things are more under the control of a driver. You can plan things ahead and focus on your driving. However, there are things that are not under your direct control and things happen outside, which could easily distract you – knowingly or unknowingly. Here we are checking a few points that happen outside while driving and one should develop a kind of habit to ignore them.
- Interesting sightings – While on the road, one might come across different sightings which could be interesting. Driver might be interested to enjoy the scenes. There could be interesting people or advertising billboards or nice view. That could distract driver. Be aware of such thing and avoid engaging on such activities and focus on your driving.
- Traffic situation – Sometimes, drivers unknowing carried away with drivers and drive in auto mode. They do not give full attention to the signage and road conditions and drive as other drivers are doing. That kind of practice could be problematic as the driver might not driving following the traffic rules. Be focused. Drive being fully aware of the environment and create enough space around you so that you are always under control while driving.
- Construction area/other road conditions – Roads are constantly under maintenance. Also, there are many new roads and extensions under construction. Knowing your road in advance is always helpful and less stressful while driving. construction zone could be a distraction as driver may like to enjoy the development of the area or the use of the equipments or how the workers are preferring different activities. Always pay full attention ahead of you and road signage in the construction zone. The speed limit and diversion are important to follow.
Summary – Drivers may get easily distracted while driving. There are so many factors that could influence you and cause you distractions while driving. Knowing it in advance and planning ahead to avoid some of those under your control in advance help you build a good driving habits. For other factors which are not under your direct influence but are good cause of distraction you should know them and avoid them intentionally. Safe driving is always the focus.
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For Alberta Related Driving information click here: https://www.alberta.ca/transportation-roads-driving.aspx