The
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
recently completed research that indicates mental distraction alone
dangerously affects drivers behind the wheel. The research also shows that
hands-free features, increasingly common in new vehicles, are among the most
distracting. Just because a drivers’ eyes are on the road and hands are on the
wheel doesn’t mean that they’re safely focused on driving. Distractions were
responsible for vehicle crashes leading to 3,179 deaths and 431,000 injuries
in 2014, according to the most recent data provided by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). https://youtu.be/WVOV1Kql6pI
Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving
Don’t touch that dial.Adjust seat positions, climate
controls, sound systems, and other devices before you leave or while the
vehicle is stopped. Know how your controls work, so if you must adjust
something on the fly, you’ll be less distracted. Use presets for radio and
climate control, or have your passenger assist you.
Stop to eat or drink.Drive-through windows and giant cup
holders make it tempting to have a meal while driving, but you’re safer
when you stop to eat or drink. Reducing your risk will be worth the time
you spend.
Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone or send text messages
and emails.Mobile phones can be a great resource for getting help or reporting
trouble. But, whether you use a handheld phone or a hands-free device,
talking while driving causes you to take your mind off the task at hand
(and sometimes your eyes and hands, too). Your best bet is to pull off the
road to a safe spot before you use your phone to talk or text. Find a safe
area away from traffic. Learn how your phone’s controls work in case an
emergency call while driving is unavoidable. Practice good habits: Turn
your phone off before you drive, so you won’t be tempted to answer calls
on the road.
Plan ahead.Check directions and traffic conditions before
you leave, so you’ll be prepared for your journey. If you have a GPS,
enter your destination information before departing, and pull over to a
safe place if you need to make changes or review maps or route guidance.
If possible, use a passenger as your navigator and assistant. Don’t
multitask and drive. Driving is complicated enough — you’ll become
distracted if you do other things, too. Don’t use the vehicle’s mirrors
for personal grooming when the vehicle is in motion. Don’t try to read or
write while you’re behind the wheel. Just drive. Pull over to care for
children. Change the baby, feed the kids, and buckle them into their
vehicle seats before you leave. If you need to attend to them, pull over
in a safe place — don’t try to handle children while you’re driving.
Help teens identify and reduce distractions.New drivers
face a big challenge behind the wheel; in fact, the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety reports that for every mile they drive, teens are four
times more likely to be involved in a crash than other drivers.
Additionally, crash risk increases with the number of passengers. Parents
must model safe driving behaviors and teach teens to limit distractions
and focus on the road.
Free Disconnect and Drive bumper magnets are available at AAA Car Care
centers and AAA Travel offices, or make a request by contacting Traffic
Safety here.