As drivers of this era, we are faced with more distractions than ever before with there being so many potential demands on our attention. These distractions not only come from inside and outside the car, but there's also another major factor at play here - the distraction of a busy mind!
Distractions can be easily banished but it starts with something as simple and straightforward as:
- The will of the driver (we can banish distractions as long as we want to),
- Self-discipline,
- Sensible journey planning.
On a daily basis, we are allowing distractions to take our minds off the central task of driving and this comes with potentially disastrous consequences. These distractions are causing attention to derail from the primary task of driving to the secondary task of whatever is causing the distraction and this ultimately impacts negatively on driving performance.
Sensible lane choices then start to disappear, reaction time becomes considerably slower, all-round scanning stops, observations become more fixed, speeds are inconsistent, and distracted drivers then end up tailgating other drivers which in turn disrupts and frustrates other drivers. And since distracted drivers are less in control of their environment, they tend to become more stressed, and this can lead to tiredness and/or anger.
If drivers can effectively manage potential distractions they will be able to better anticipate hazards, their driving styles will be smoother and calmer and there'll be more law-abiding drivers on the road. Near misses and collisions can also be avoided. More drivers just need to be more dedicated to focussed driving.
Here are 6 tips for banishing distractions:
1. Leave the phone alone!
You shouldn't even be surprised that this is first on the list. Unless there's an extreme emergency, you should never use your cellphone while driving (R500 fine, 1 Demerit point). To prevent yourself from reaching for it, consider:
- Putting it out of reach,
- Putting it in a cubby (glove box),
- Switching it to silent.
2. Music presets
Ahead of driving out choose your favourite music, be it a playlist which is streaming, music from a CD or USB, or from the radio - which should already be preset with your favourite stations. This will keep you from fiddling around while driving. Also, keep music volume to a reasonable level to ensure you have awareness of what’s going on around you.
3. Map your journey ahead of driving out
While SatNav is great to have, it can also be distracting. Set your destination before driving out to avoid distractions of fiddling with the system while driving. When going somewhere unfamiliar it's also good to view the route ahead of driving out as the familiarisation can not only help to eliminate some of the distraction caused by the navigation system but also helps reduce stress.
4. Breakfast in the car
Avoid taking your breakfast into the car to have while driving. While you may think this is going to save you time, you are taking a big risk by choosing to eat and drink while driving. Have your breakfast before you set off for work or head out on the road. If you know you're going to be on a longer trip then schedule in time for regular drinks breaks.
5. Keep fresh and alert
When on longer journeys we tend to get bored and start looking for distractions. Avoid this by making regular stops for at least 15 minutes every two hours. Stretching for a bit, getting some fresh air by walking around, grabbing a coffee/light refreshment, or stopping for a short power nap will help keep you fresh and alert while driving.
6. Occupied passengers
Having things in the car to keep kids/passengers occupied will ensure they don't distract the driver. Older children can be used as a second pair of eyes which not only helps them understand the risks but it also helps teenagers develop hazard perception skills early.
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