If there is one issue that does not get enough attention when it comes to accidents, it is distracted driving. Everybody does it and frankly, it is hard not to. Manufacturers now produce and sell vehicles with equipment that distracts drivers while they are driving. How can we avoid it?
This is something drivers must be conscious of. Despite the ability of car manufacturers to design and sell vehicles with fancy gadgets and modern screens that allow you to practically do anything you could do at home, it comes at a high cost.
What does distracted driving mean?
Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes—and, most importantly, your mind—off the road. This means using your cellphone, becoming distracted by eating, daydreaming, using your hands to adjust the radio or GPS device and even chatting with passengers.
Why is distracted driving dangerous?
Distracted driving is dangerous because:
- People underestimate how dangerous it is and the fact that taking your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel for one second could result in a fatal accident
- People are unaware that distracted driving is like driving blindfolded.
We are not meant to do several things at once with our bodies—certainly not while driving.
If you are behind the wheel and decide to take your mind off the task at hand, or your eyes off the road in front of you, you risk getting into a serious accident.
- If you are not paying attention, you cannot react quickly enough at a stop sign or red light.
- If you do not fully focus, you cannot drive straight and might collide with another car.
Technology in vehicles
One of the biggest challenges about distracted driving is that car manufacturers are selling vehicles with technology so advanced that not only do people want to buy these vehicles, but they also want to buy vehicles that might kill them or kill someone else without necessarily knowing it.
How can technology be so dangerous?
Touchscreens are cool, but looking at them means you are not looking at the road in front of you. The same with using Bluetooth for phone calls—sure, you are not holding the phone, but your mind is somewhere else.
How can we prevent these dangers?
Great question. The best way to prevent distracted driving is to get ahead of it by understanding how we become distracted.
Anything that takes your attention away from driving, or your eyes off the road, is something that you should not do.
So, put your phone on silent, set up your GPS before you leave the driveway, and do not mess with the touchscreen.
While these actions may seem simple, they could save your life and the lives of passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
This is how important it is to get ahead of this trend that many people do not recognize they engage in every single day. With safe driving, we should all do our part. Let’s make sure we get from A to B in one piece and do what we need to do so others can do the same.