How to avoid distractions while driving
Life is full of distractions and they don’t disappear when we are driving.
Picking up your mobile to change a song, opening a packet of chips, adjusting navigation settings, chowing down on a burger; these are all safe and normal activities when done in isolation, but if done while driving a car they can be deadly.
Despite the danger, an RACQ survey* found 64% of drivers said they used a hands-free mobile phone behind the wheel, almost 32% said they used a hand-held phone, 74% said they ate and drank, and nearly 60% viewed or entered GPS settings while driving.
The three different types of distractions:
- Visual– taking your eyes off the road.
- Physical – taking your hands off the steering wheel.
- Cognitive – taking your mind or attention off the driving task.
No driver is immune to any of these distractions and therefore it is important to train ourselves to choose more appropriate times to deal with certain things, so that they don’t become potential distractions while driving.
RACQ Education Coaching and Development Specialist Melissa Johnson said there are proactive and reactive strategies drivers can implement to prevent distractions on the road.
“We want people to take control of their safety and the safety of their passengers and minimise the likelihood of being involved in a crash,” Ms Johnson said.
“For example, if we feel angry, we are more likely to overtake and weave in and out of traffic. If we feel anxious or left out, we may be more likely to pick up the phone.
“We really encourage motorists to design strategies to deal with distraction, every time they get behind the wheel.
“Proactive strategies may be thinking about the settings and location of the phone and being well rested and fed, while reactive strategies can be pulling over when it is safe to do so and taking some deep breaths if you’re feeling distracted.”
To help avoid distraction while driving we recommend the following tips:
- Set your phone to ‘do not disturb’ and put it away for the duration of your trip.
- Set-up and adjust vehicle settings like air conditioning, radio station, music playlist and GPS destination before setting off.
- Take a break from driving to eat, drink, or groom yourself, or do it once you reach your destination.
- Ensure your pets and any objects in the vehicle are properly restrained and tied down.
*2022 RACQ Annual Road Safety Survey
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