Every time you get behind the wheel you must give your full attention to the road in order to keep both yourself and other road users safe. Yet, in today’s fast-paced world, distracted driving has become a significant issue with drivers dividing their focus among phones, navigation systems, and even eating or drinking. This lack of attention hugely increases the risk of an accident happening which now makes distracted driving one of the leading causes of road incidents.
You might think that having a quick glance at your phone is harmless, but even a momentary distraction can lead to serious, life-ending consequences. Texting, for example, is particularly hazardous, as it takes your eyes off the road and can dramatically delay reaction times. It’s very important to recognize these dangers and take steps to minimize distractions, ensuring both your safety and the safety of others around you.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving involves an attention split where actions simple like using a cell phone or adjusting a navigation system divert a driver’s focus away from the road.
Types of Distraction
The types of distractions that you might encounter whilst driving can be classified into three main types: visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
- Visual distractions happen when your eyes are taken off the road, for example when checking your phone or GPS.
- Manual distractions involve taking your hands off the wheel which could happen when you are reaching for an item like food or a drink.
- Cognitive distractions happen when your mind wanders away from driving and can be the result of daydreaming or engaging in a hands-free phone conversation.
Each type of distraction can significantly impact your safety and reaction time.
Common Sources of Distraction
In our modern age, there are now several ways that you can get distracted whilst you are driving. Most of us probably have a mobile phone and these small, seemingly harmless devices are by far the most common causes of distraction. This is because they lead to drivers texting, making calls, and adjusting their journey whilst driving – all activities that people tend to think they can multitask with.
Unsplash Royalty FreeNon-electronic distractions can include eating, drinking, or attending to other passengers in the car, and these also require you to give some kind of visual or manual input to complete. It’s important to be aware of these distractions before you start your journey to make more informed decisions and prioritize keeping your focus on the road. If you need to eat or drink, it’s always smarter to pull over and stop in a safe place rather than trying to do so while driving.
Multitasking
Multitasking while driving is tempting and often seems efficient but in reality, it compromises your safety by overloading your cognitive resources. When you switch between tasks like navigating complex routes while speaking on the phone, your attention is divided.
Both hand-held and hands-free phone use can impair your focus. Even seemingly minor multitasking, like adjusting the radio, creates brief lapses in full attention and increases the risk of accidents occurring. Being aware of these effects can help you to maintain your focus and improve road safety.
The Consequences of Distracted Driving
Impact on Traffic Safety
Distracted driving significantly undermines traffic safety and leads to increased accident risks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a high incidence of motor vehicle crashes that are attributed to driver distraction. Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable due to their inexperience and the likelihood of being influenced by their friends to make risky decisions.
You must understand that engaging in risky driving behaviors, such as texting or using a cell phone, significantly increases the risk of a crash happening. These actions can result in serious injuries or in the worst-case scenario, may even be fatal. Driving requires full attention to maintain road safety and protect all roadway users. Remember that distracted driving doesn’t just affect you, it puts all road users around you at risk too.
Driving Laws Surrounding Distracted Driving
Distracted driving laws vary by region but the general aim is to reduce distractions on the road by heavily penalising drivers who take part in it. Many areas have now enacted legislation specifically targeting cellphone use while driving and in some places, it’s even considered illegal to use your phone whilst parked if the engine is turned on.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) continues to support these laws being enforced more strictly to further protect all road users including pedestrians.
You should be aware that violating these laws can lead to hefty fines or penalties. Repeat offenses often result in increased insurance premiums and license suspension so it’s important to understand and adhere to local driving laws to avoid this. If you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident, you can contact an accident attorney to help manage the legal implications.
The Costs Associated with Distracted Driving
The consequences of distracted driving go beyond the collision itself as victims of distracted driving may have long-term physical and emotional trauma as a result of it. Keep in mind that both families and communities have to bear the emotional burden of these crashes, particularly when fatal crashes occur.
Something that is often overlooked is that the financial costs associated with distracted driving can be huge as they are likely to include both medical expenses and property damage. Overall, society also suffers from these increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. A road traffic accident caused by distracted driving can use up a lot of public resources in things like road repair and debris removal – costs which could have been avoided. By promoting safe driving practices, you can help contribute to reducing these personal and societal costs and being a better member of your community.