"In recent years,the issue of driver distraction has received increasing attention from the media, public, government, industry and safety organizations," begins a 2006 joint report by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF).
Although attention has focused on cell phone use (and especially on teens texting while driving), there is a growing awareness of the dangers of a variety of distractions for even experienced drivers. While legislators debate (or impose) laws to ban cell phone use, the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies focus on educating drivers.
Driving Distractions
"We want to educate people of the dangers of driving while distracted," says a recent media release from Inspector James Stiles of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who are responsible for enforcing traffic laws in many parts of Canada). "We also want to inform the public about behaviours they may not even know will put them at risk."
Distracted diving behaviors include such things as
- using a cell phone
- text messaging
- eating or drinking
- applying makeup, shaving, other personal grooming
- checking a map
- reading (!)
- swapping out CDs
- disciplining the kids in the back seat
- daydreaming, fantasizing, reliving events
- conversation with a passenger
In most jurisdictions, these distracting activities are may not be illegal, but they certainly can be imprudent. If the behavior results in a collision, the driver can be charged with a variety of offenses (stunting, driving without due care, etc.)
Consequences of Distracted Driving
Distraction can be deadly. A number of studies have suggested that driving distracted is as dangerous as driving drunk. "You are more likely to be injured in a car accident by a distracted driver than by a drunk driver," states one report.
Drivers should keep in mind that
- For inexperienced drivers, any distraction is more dangerous
- It takes only a second of inattention for a collision to occur
- Multitasking takes the driver's attention away from the main task of driving.
Driving is a complex activity that requires careful attention even from experienced drivers.
How to Reduce Driving Distractions
Here is a list of tips to minimize distractions and focus on the driving task (compiled from information provided by the Safety Council of Canada and the RCMP):
- Be familiar with car equipment (climate controls, emergency flasher, entertainment etc.)
- Always keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
- Ensure all children are properly buckled up. Stop before disciplining.
- Pull away from the drive-through window and park to eat or drink.
- Review driving directions before starting the trip, and allow adequate time; at the very least (where permitted) pull over to read the map
- Avoid intense conversations with passengers
- If you MUST use a cell phone, use a hands-free device, keep conversations short, and never take notes while driving (hands-free may not be allowed in some jurisdictions)
Road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic flow can change quickly. A distracted driver may not have sufficient time to respond.
When driving, pay attention.
Thomas Alan Gray - Tom has been writing for over 30 years; curiosity leads him to dig into a wide variety of topics.
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