Distracted Driving

 

Distraction could be due to a lot of things and it is easy to get distracted these days. Also, distraction could happen anywhere, anytime. You cannot drive safely unless driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity that you engage in while driving possesses a potential risk of getting involved in an accident.

 

Let’s first understand that

 

What is Distracted Driving?

 

Distracted driving is when a driver has their focus on some other activity apart from driving the car, it could be reading texts, looking for maps, changing the music, talking on a call with someone, or even talking to people in the car. 

 

This brings up a situation where one must know how to tackle the distractions while driving; this is one of the important parts of Skilled Driver Risk Management techniques.

 

Minimizing Distracted Driving

 

No Multi-tasking

There is only one thing you should do while driving a car and that is driving a car. All other activities can wait. Multi-tasking should never be done while driving. 

 

No Drinking/Eating

Eating or Drinking can be a big distraction while driving your car and thus should be avoided at all cost. If you are hungry you can park your car for 2 minutes and finish your meal first. Eating while driving is risky and also you won’t be able to enjoy your meal. 

 

No Phone

This is the most common thing which people do. All your calls and messages can wait If there is an urgent call you can pull over and make the call. Using hands freephone is also a distraction and not safe. There is a margin of almost 30 seconds of distraction before receiving and after cutting the call.

 

Adjustments

People often tend to adjust their seat, switch on the AC, set music, wear seat belt after they have started driving. This is not a good habit one must make all the arrangements in the first place and only then hit the road. 

 

The simple solution for this would be harsh penalties for using mobile phones, education of traffic rules and distracted driving to a greater number of people.

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