Distracted Driving

by Tanya Davis

It is a sad but true fact that most motor vehicle crashes occur when one of the drivers has let his or her  attention wander for a few seconds. One study showed that backing up, lane changing, and merging often result in a crash when the driver isn't paying attention—resulting in an amazing 4,300 crashes every single day. As for rear-end crashes, at least 68 percent of them are caused by inattention, according to the National highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The problem is that most drivers don't believe they are distracted. So let's get personal: do you ever participate in any of the following while driving?

• Filing or polishing your nails
• Putting in a contact lens
• Shaving
• Touching up your makeup
• Reading a book
• Eating
• Drinking any kind of beverage
• Smoking
• Talking on the phone
• Arguing with your passenger
• Breaking up a fight between your children

Have you ever wiped off your windshield while driving? Reached for the glove compartment? Reached for something that flew off the seat onto the floor? Driven when angry, upset, or extremely tired?

If you have, then congratulations: you survived distracted driving. You see, it only takes a second or two to cause a crash. I read once that a sneeze is long enough for it. Many of the drivers in studies who have survived a distracted-driving crash admit to being distracted within 3 seconds of their diverted attention. And rubbernecking doubles your chances of having a crash.

What you can Do

Some of the suggestions for multi-tasking by the general public, or by the clever salesmen, amount to nothing more than a driving distraction. Wireless telephone earpieces are a good example of this. In fact, any sort of telephone talk is better done when parked than during a drive. Another task you can give up is listening to the radio; it is amazing how little of what you hear on there you really need. And although Zig Ziglar calls motor vehicles “Transportation University,” listening to stories or motivational tapes during long trips cause your attention to be on something other than the road – which is never advisable.

Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving

• Think before you drive. Do you need a drink of water? Need to make a phone call? Need to move items off the seat into the floor so they don't slide around?
• Keep a vigilant watch around the vehicle by shifting your eyes every few seconds and checking the rear-view mirror every five to eight seconds. This forces your brain to stay  focused on driving.
• When approaching construction zones or crashes, be the one person who slows down. Watch for workers, changing traffic patterns, and approaching emergency vehicles.
• Drive defensively. Know where your “out” is at all times and be prepared to use it.
• Signal you intentions early enough to give others more time to react to your move.
• Make sure the motorists around you are aware of you!

The most important tip for safe driving is simply to have awareness of it. Be aware that you are in control of your own safety and that of your passengers, and do your part to be sure your trip is the best possible. Above all, be careful out there!

Tanya Davis is a freelance writer living in Tennesee.