Drivers face a barrage of distractions while behind the wheel. While most people would think of texting while driving as a source of distraction, there are many other things that draw our attention from the road. Living in a world where most people own a cell phone and use GPS to get from place to place, we have to try harder than ever to stay focused while behind the wheel. Driving distracted can have serious consequences on your wallet, other drivers and cars on the road, and your own life.
The Things That Draw Away Your Attention
There are three kinds of distracted driving: cognitive distraction (when your mind is not focused on driving), visual distraction (when you are looking somewhere besides the road in front of you), and manual distraction (when your hands leave the steering wheel.) Texting combines all three of these types, which is what makes it so dangerous. However, even being caught up mentally over a conversation you had earlier in the day or reaching to hand your toddler a sippy cup can be equally detrimental.
MO Eyes on the Road
There is a new campaign being launched in Missouri to create awareness about distracted driving and the devastating effects it can have on us all. Not only can you suffer personal injury, but you can harm other drivers and passengers when you get into an accident caused by careless driving. "MO Eyes on the Road" focuses on the younger demographic; over 30% of all traffic fatalities are people under the age of 25. The program offers resources to parents including an app that will make your cell phone unusable if you are traveling over 25 mph and a contract teens can sign saying that they will practice safe driving habits.
Multitasking and the Road
With our culture of being on the go and being busy all the time, people have a tendency to multitask at all times. However, the road is no place to multitask. If you are focusing on any other thing besides good defensive driving, you are putting yourself and your passengers at risk. To avoid the temptation, turn off your cell phone or use a hands free device for emergencies only. Make sure that your kids have everything they need before you leave your driveway and pull over if you have to grab something. Even eating or drinking a coffee behind the wheel is not a great idea.
If we can all make careful choices while driving, like pulling over if we need to reset the GPS, the road will be a safer place for all of us. It only takes one moment of your attention being elsewhere for an accident to happen. Stay focused, and stay safe.