Deadly Distractions
The number one factor behind car crashes is distractions to the driver. There are dozens of things that can distract your attention. Add a passenger or two, maybe some new CDs you want to listen to and a mobile phone that won’t stop ringing and it becomes almost impossible to give the road your full concentration.
With so many things going on around you, it's not surprising that different age groups are more likely to be distracted by different things. If you are under 20 then you are most likely to be distracted by changing CD’s or tuning your radio. If you are between 20 and 29 then you are more likely to be distracted by a passenger.
However good you think you are at driving, it only takes a second of distraction to miss something happening on the road. If a child runs out without warning whilst you’re busy changing the radio station or on the phone, it could mean the difference between life and death and you could easily end up in jail.
In recent months there have been several high profile cases of people going to prison because they have lost concentration at the wheel. Paul Browning, from Surrey, was typing a text message when he veered off the road and fatally hit a pedestrian, dragging him under his vehicle. Browning received a five year prison sentence because of his carelessness. If that sounds harsh, think how you would feel if it was your mum or your sister that he hit.
5 BIG distractions and how to avoid them
#1 MOBILE PHONE
Research by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) estimates around 500,000 motorists a day use a hand-held phone whilst driving. That’s a little worrying when you consider that using a mobile can decrease your reaction times by roughly the same as drinking and driving!
It is now law that anyone caught using a mobile phone when driving would be fined £60 and given three points on their licence. If it goes to court you can be fined up to £1,000 – that’s more than some first cars are worth! New drivers can only get 6 points before a ban. It’s no fun driving with three penalty points - one wrong move and it’s game over.
Drive4Life tip: Either turn your phone to silent before setting off. Never send or read a txt message whilst driving and remember it’s still illegal to use a hand-held phone whilst you’re stationary at traffic lights.
#2 HOT DATES
Of course you’re trying to impress, but don’t let the flirty conversation or their amazing body divert your attention from the road. Owning a car may boost your sex appeal. But girls are not often impressed by having their life put in danger. Females do judge guys by their driving ability, but if she feels like every breath may be her last, you can probably kiss a second date goodbye!
Women aged 17-19 are far more likely to be killed as passangers, than as drivers. For example, in 2005, 276 girls in this age range were killed or seriously injured whilst driving, compared to a massive 373 suffering the same fate as passangers. By contrast, 869 male drivers of the same age were killed or seriously injured, compared to 602 male passangers.
Drive4Life tip: Play it cool. Your date may be hotter than a Swedish sauna, but keep it chilled and leave any physical contact until you’re well outside the car. Let your date do most of the talking, so you can concentrate on driving. Remember to listen though!
#3 EATING & DRINKING
A new study shows that 75% of drivers eat or drink whilst at driving. It’s easily done; you’re on your way to school, work or college, but you haven’t had any time for breakfast, so you’ve got a slice of toast in one hand, trying to change gear with the other whilst steering with your elbow. But what happens when a pedestrian walks out in front of you without warning? You can’t swerve using your elbow, or brake hard and still keep control of the car.
When tested in driving simulators, drivers tended to slow down when eating, but the number of crashes doubled and it was proven that their mental workload was a lot higher when they were eating or drinking; which suggests that eating or drinking reduces your ability to deal with other events.
Drive4Life tip: If you must eat or drink in your car, then do it whilst the car is stationary. And watch out for crumbs and bits of bacon...
#4 BACK SEAT PASSENGERS
It is such a good feeling when you have friends in the car heading for a night out. As the driver you are the centre of attention.
The front seat passenger is more in tune with what’s going on and whether they realise it or not, they’re normally less of a distraction. It’s the back seat passangers who can’t see the hazards you’re dealing with, but still want you to join in the conversation. You may want to turn round or look in the rear view mirror to see what everyone is laughing about, but that could be a deadly mistake. Then there is the chance of peer pressure. How easy is it to resist the challenge "Overtake him.. show us what you can do!"
Drive4Life tip: If your passangers get a bit lively, make sure you say something sooner rather than later. Believe it or not, they’ll probably respect you for it, especially if you put it across in the right way. Be wary about having more than one drunken person in your car, as they are much harder to control.
#5 CAR STEREOS & GENERIC MP3 PLAYERS
Because car stereos come built into the car, they are a distraction all too easily overlooked. Changing between preset radio stations isn’t too hard and most people could probably do it without having to look down. Fumbling around to change a CD, however, is more dangerous than you might think, although lots of drivers still do it. But what about MP3 players? These were not designed to be used whilst driving and let’s face it; some people struggle to use them sat on their bedroom floor.
Drive4Life tip: Changing the radio presets are fine, but think twice before changing a CD or cassette. If you must use your generic MP3 player, then consider setting up a playlist that will last the entire journey before moving off. If you’ve got a passenger then ask them to change the CDs or fiddle with your MP3.
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