How often are you distracted when driving? Like most motorists, you might think you are able to manage distractions well. However, a large number of people claim to pay attention to the road, but the statistics don’t match their claim. According to a report by the NHTSA, distracted driving accounted for nearly 3,100 deaths in 2020 alone.
What’s even more concerning is most of these accidents are preventable. You just have to eliminate the distracting factors that could endanger your life and that of other road users.
To help reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents, here are some of the most common causes of distracted driving and how to avoid them.
Common Distractions When Driving
As you read through the following list, take note of the times you find yourself or other drivers engaging in these activities and the number of close calls you’ve had as a result.
Using Your Phone
Smartphones are some of the biggest distractors for most people in modern society, especially students and drivers. According to a recent study, 34% of drivers who get into an accident interact with their phones at least a minute before the crash.
The distractions caused by using your phone are not just limited to talking or texting. Even simply checking a notification for a few seconds could significantly increase your chances of getting into an accident, especially when you’re going at high speeds or driving along a busy road.
Eating and Drinking
Not every driver has the pleasure to stop and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. What most of them do is grab their favorite takeout from a drive-through and munch on it as they drive.
While most people think that they can eat or drink and still manage to keep their eyes on the road, there are always those few seconds you take your eyes off the road to grab your next bite or clean up the messy nuggets on your clothes. Unfortunately, you never know what could happen in a matter of seconds on the road.
Adjusting Audio and Climate Controls
Listening to music when driving creates an exhilarating effect. In fact, studies suggest that listening to music with a higher BPM significantly increases the chances of driving faster and underestimating your speed. It could also add to your mental workload, causing you to feel mentally exhausted after driving for some time.
Since we’re talking about distractions, let’s get back on point. Modern vehicles come with very intuitive designs to make everything easier, including easily reachable control buttons for audio and climate control right on the steering wheel.
However, you still need to look at the screen to select your optimum settings. In that instant, you take your eyes off the road. If you’re not tech-savvy or properly acquainted with your vehicle, glancing at your screen could take longer than you anticipate.
Daydreaming or Thinking Ahead
It’s normal to daydream or think ahead when driving, especially if you’re alone in the vehicle. However, most people don’t realize that daydreaming affects their attention and could impact their ability to focus on the road. For instance, a police report shows that 61% of people involved in a fatal crash were daydreaming at the time of the accident.
Sleep Deprivation
If you work more than 55 hours a week, the chances are you’re not getting enough sleep. Your body needs to relax, and to compensate, your brain works less efficiently, causing you to feel tired and restless. If you carry on driving in this condition, your eyes eventually start fluttering off the road, reducing your focus and ultimately increasing your likelihood of getting into a serious accident.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving
An article about the contributing factors to distracted driving wouldn’t be complete without some helpful advice on how to avoid it. To keep you and other road users safe on the road, here are a few tips to help you focus as you drive:
Pull Off the Road If You Feel Drowsy
As mentioned above, sleep deprivation and driving don’t go well together. Regardless of your situation or how quickly you need to get to where you’re going, it is advisable to pull off the road and take a short nap whenever you feel drowsy. That short rest could save a life.
Limit the Number of People in the Vehicle
Most people enjoy having some company when driving. Talking to your friends decreases boredom and may be a little exciting. However, you can focus only on a few things at the same time. If you have multiple passengers in the vehicle, they’ll each want a bit of your attention, causing you to shift your gaze away from the road multiple times. The act of talking in itself could also serve as a distraction. Therefore, you should try limiting the number of passengers in the vehicle, especially if you’re a younger driver without much experience.
Don’t Multitask in the Car
You spend a significant amount of time in the car your entire life. Although this is typically spread out through multiple long and short rides, it’s still a lot of time. Most drivers take advantage of this time to check a few things off their list. This includes everything from texting and adjusting your radio to more attention-intensive tasks like checking emails.
To prevent some of these distractions, try to get everything done before getting into your car or pulling into the road. You should also limit your interaction with your phone to emergencies only.
The Bottom Line
Everyone is susceptible to distractions when driving, whether you’re a new or experienced driver. It takes tremendous effort to avoid getting distracted, especially given the number of distractions the modern driver has to contend with. However, avoiding the above simple yet life-threatening activities could save your life. If you still have difficulty managing distractions while on the road, consider the tips mentioned towards the end of the article; they might prove more beneficial than you think.
