Do You Know What Is Considered Distracted Driving?

In our last post, we looked at distracted driving, and some tips for avoiding hundreds of dollars in fines. 

But what is distracted driving? We can clearly define distracted driving as any activity or object or individual that takes your focus off the road and thus puts you at risk of accident. 

Mobile phones have such a high profile of attention, but what other kinds of distractions are there that lead to collisions? There are numerous things we are not aware of in and outside of the vehicle that engaging in are considered driving distractions.

1. Mobile Phones: Ok, so this is the most basic and obvious one, and important to include. If you are texting while driving, you are 4x more likely to get into an accident. It's best just not to do it at all. Make a phone call if you can hands free.

2. Noise: So many people like to get in their vehicles and crank up the tunes; but loud music can be a significant distraction, not only by elevating your mood by which you take more chances on the road, but also impairing your hearing of important sounds around you, such as horn honks and emergency sirens.

3. Adjusting Music: Sometimes I look down to adjust the sound dials on my vehicle's sound system and am surprised by how complicated its design is: I'm forced to look across the interface, press different buttons, and stare at the screen. Until auto companies wake up to the design demands distracted driving statistic, it's critical that you avoid setting the dials when you're driving.

4. Other vehicle occupants: Kids can be so distracting, especially if you have several in the vehicle with you. Tending to children may be necessary at times, but can also lead you to take your eyes off the road for prolonged periods of time. If it's not an emergency with your children, don't tend to them; however, if it is, simply pull over and wait till everything has settled down before proceeding.

5. Personal grooming: Are you one of those guys who whips out the electric razor on your way to a dinner meeting? Or how about putting on lipstick while driving in rush hour? Again, it takes your eyes off the road, and divides your concentration.

6. Eating and drinking: When driving along the highway, I often like to chew on candy: it keeps my mind running and helps prevent me from dozing off. But what I find sometimes is just getting a candy out of a wrapper can take my focus off the road and put me at risk of accident--not a huge risk, nevertheless a risk. If you're eating something complicated, or drinking a full cup of coffee whose risk of spilling is drawing your attention away from the road, it's best to pull over or wait until you get to your destination.

7. Road signs and advertising: Billboards are designed to get your attention; but if you are too entranced by one, you could fall prey to a collision. Same with road signs. I remember once travelling in the U.S. and passed a sign called 'Dip' and almost panicked wondering what that dip immediately ahead was going to possibly be--not to mention it was 2am. 

8. Scenery: Beautiful scenery can take your eyes off the road. If you're driving through a mountainous region or in a hip part of a city, it might be best to pull over or park and take time to really soak it in. If you're with a person who can drive and for whom the scenery is not as awe-inspiring, let them drive so you can enjoy yourself.