Distracted Driver

The Most Common Causes of Distracted Driving Include:

Grooming or applying makeup: Perhaps you did not have enough time to put the finishing touches on your appearance and need just a few more things to look polished, but this is not something you should be addressing while driving. However, too many continue to comb their hair or apply lipstick while driving, taking their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. If you really want to look your best, take those few extra minutes to do so while you are still at home.

Having conversations with passengers: It might feel rude to not converse with passengers riding with you, but talking to passengers while you are driving is actually incredibly distracting. You cannot have your full attention on driving while you are engaging in a conversation and possibly taking glances at your passengers while they speak. The polite thing to do is to not jeopardize anyone’s safety and save conversations for later.

Not looking at the road: There are a number of reasons why drivers might divert their eyes from the road, including landmarks or an accident on the side of the road. It is important to remember that taking your eyes off the road, even for a second, is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to an accident.

Dealing with children or pets: Attempting to handle children or pets while you are driving puts everyone in the vehicle in danger. Never drive with a pet loose in your vehicle. Instead, keep them in a pet carrier. Create a set of rules that your children are to follow when riding in the vehicle and do not attempt to discipline them while you are driving. If something absolutely must be addressed, pull to a safe area and take care of it before you resume driving.  

Zoning out: Sometimes the most distracting thing on the road is our own mind. Going on autopilot, however, is dangerous and can keep you from noticing obstacles on the road or from being aware of your surroundings, putting you at a high risk of having an accident. This list is just scratching the surface of the different types of distractions drivers face day-in and day-out. Other types of distractions may include eating and drinking, cellphone use, fiddling with the entertainment system, setting the navigation system, playing games, and so on and so forth.