Driving a car requires physical and mental demand, not only does it require coordination and reflexes, it also requires rapid assessment skills and good judgment. Automakers have spent years making our autos comfortable and safer to drive, installing everything from rear view mirrors to automatic transmissions to cruise control, but despite all their efforts some drivers insist on creating distractions for themselves behind the wheel, most of which have nothing to do with driving.
Here are the top major distractions when operating a vehicle:
- Eating We’ve all done it on a busy day. A quick trip through the drive-through, and before you know it you’re eating that yummy Cheeseburger with one hand, French fries with the other & balancing a soda with your elbow as you steer with your knees, eating behind the wheel is not safe.
- Phone Research shows that driving while using a cell phone can pose a serious cognitive distraction and degrade driver performance,” that includes talking, messaging, browsing the internet, taking pictures, Online Shopping, Video Chatting and the many wonders you can do with your cellphones nowadays.
- Applying Makeup Ladies, it’s no secret that it’s impossible to get ready on time in the morning, but please understand how dangerous it is to try to put on your mascara in traffic…Not only are you diverting your attention away from the road, I highly doubt you will do any kind of a good job on your face.
- Shaving Now Gentlemen you too, just because that razor is cordless doesn’t mean that it can or better yet should be used everywhere. While you concentrate on getting your sideburns even, traffic has bunched up behind you and you’re driving on two lanes or worse you can even cut yourself, shaving should always be done at home or in the bathroom at the office.
- Eating We’ve all done it on a busy day. A quick trip through the drive-through, and before you know it you’re eating that yummy Cheeseburger with one hand, French fries with the other & balancing a soda with your elbow as you steer with your knees, eating behind the wheel is not safe.
- Reading Believe it or not drivers will kill time in traffic with the latest magazine or favorite book but remember, whatever it is got your full attention will still be a great read after you reach your destination. Don’t read behind the wheel. If you must be literary while driving, try audio books.
- LoungingOne of the first things we learn in driver’s ed is proper driving position. So why do so many drivers insist on slouching, reclining, leaning against the door or putting their feet out of the window? Not only is visibility compromised, reaction time is delayed and control is also compromised, so much of the crash protection engineered into the car is defeated. Straighten up and drive right, for your own good.