According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving can be defined as ‘an activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system- anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.’ Speaking of statistics and figures, Forbes states that 8% of dangerous vehicle accidents take place due to distracted driving. According to NHTSA, it’s evident that 3308 died in 2022 due to distracted driving and careless behavior on the streets.
Though human beings are prone to making mistakes at times, distracted driving has been a severe problem that has been exposing individuals to death or injuries. And there are prompt, known causes responsible for these fatal incidents. If you are thinking of enrolling yourself in a driver instruction course, knowing what practices to avoid while driving is a must. Let’s get started without any further delay.
What Are the Different Types of Distractions?
Before discussing the causes responsible for distracted driving, let’s take a moment to identify the various types of distractions that can take place. Typically, distractions can be divided into four categories:
- Physical Distractions
Also referred to as manual distractions, physical distractions means absence of your physical control on the steering wheel. For instance, if you take a call or text someone while driving, you need to use your hands to serve the purpose. There’s a lot of difference between driving your car
using one hand and both the hands- these types of physical distractions can pose serious threats to your life.
- Visual Distractions
When a nice car passes by you, or some interesting activities occur on the streets, you feel like taking a look and understanding what’s happening. These are visual distractions that refrain you from focusing on driving.
- Cognitive Distractions
Sometimes, we simply think about other things and commitment in our minds. While a group of people are worried about meeting office deadlines, other individuals are engrossed in their own world of imagination while driving. These are referred to as cognitive distractions- they preoccupy your mind with mental tasks and don’t let you enjoy the ride with full attention and a clear mind!
- Auditory Distractions
If visuals can distract us, audio can do the same, too. For instance, if you heard a child screaming in his highest voice from a distance, chances are high that you will look to see what’s going on. Even simpler, enjoying your favorite music and getting too engrossed in it is enough to distract you via audio.
Highlighting the Causes Responsible for Distracted Driving
Now, the time to stay aware of the valid causes has arrived. Though our driving in-car lessons will make sure to address all the causes in person, it’s still better to remind yourself and stay mindful of the consequences:
- Talking Over Mobile Phones
Our dependency on smartphones has increased to a great extent- we keep on using it almost every minute. However, when individuals talk to their friends and acquaintances while driving on the streets, it can lead to potential accidents and incurable injuries. Though people know how pathetic this combination of talking over a phone and driving is, they are less likely to get rid of the habit- a very sad reality indeed!
- Having a Conversation with Fellow Passengers
Now this cause might sound extremely unrealistic- we will definitely talk to our fellow passengers (family, friends, colleagues) while driving. However, it’s equally safe to say that staying engrossed in different topics makes you feel distracted and leads to real problems. While you can definitely talk to your fellow companions on a safe road, save your discussion for later while moving amidst bad road conditions. Reach your destination, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy your chat with a clear, tense mindset.
- Social Media and Texting
In this era of social media, scrolling through Instagram reels has become our favorite timepass (even while driving). But enjoying trendy videos instead of paying attention to road safety will only make it hard for you to stay protected. If your eyes stay glued on your phone screen, how will you know what’s ahead of you on the roads? According to a survey conducted by The Zebra, it’s evident that nearly 47% of individuals receive or send text messages while driving. Stay away from your phone for a few hours and safeguard your life for prolonged periods.
- Focusing on Climate Controls and Audio
If you think scanning your car radio or adjusting the air conditioner is not even a distracting task, think again! Even if you are shifting your attention for quite a few seconds, it can pave the way toward uncalled danger. Yes, a nice background song is important- but for that, you can prepare a playlist and let it play while driving. Speaking of temperature adjustments, set it before you start driving.
- Smoking
Whether you are driving or not driving, smoking is a bad habit, and you know that. However, if you find it hard to quit all of a sudden, try not to smoke whenever you are behind the wheel. A driver learning course will help you develop this habit- focus on learning, and your smoking kit can wait.
Drinking or Eating
The survey by ‘The Zebra’ also states that 59% of the individuals like to eat and drink while driving. One-handed driving is a potential cause behind road accidents- consider eating at home or after reaching the destination maybe?
Be a Responsible Driver- Join Jim’s Insync Driving School Today
If you are truly passionate about safe, exciting, and responsible driving, opting for driver learning classes with Jim’s Insync Driving School will indeed be your best bet. Get yourself trained by the best professionals and enjoy your night rides and long ride sessions while staying absolutely unharmed! To be honest, no one else is responsible for your security- that’s why it’s always a good idea to behave appropriately and have fun with a sane mind. Spread awareness among your loved ones- remember, even the simplest distraction can kill!