As of today, we can expect to see an increase of mainland visitors in Hawaii. More tourists in the state also brings more drivers on the road. And more people behind the wheel will also increase the amount of distractions you may encounter while driving. This month on the blog we’ll be discussing the three main distractions while on the road and how to prevent them.
VISUAL DISTRACTIONS
The most common of the three, visual distractions may include anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road – even if just for a split second. Examples may involve checking your text messages, rubber-necking a roadside incident or watching an Instagram video.
COGNITIVE DISTRACTIONS
Cognitive distractions keep a driver’s mind preoccupied and prevent him or her from being focused on driving while on the road. This may include conversing with another passenger, daydreaming, or even talking on a hands-free cell phone or Bluetooth device. It’s important to note that cognitive distractions can even take on forms of emotional stress.
MANUAL DISTRACTIONS
This type of distraction is usually combined with a visual distraction and includes the driver removing one or both of their hands from the steering wheel at any point in time. Changing the radio station, answering a phone call, and eating a sandwich are all common examples of manual distractions.
There are lots of things one can do to avoid visual, cognitive and manual distractions. Here are some of our top suggestions:
• Silence your cell phone while driving. According to NSC reports, texting while driving doubles your chance of causing or being a part of an accident. If you are adamant about having a cell phone on you in case of an emergency, keep the device hands-free, pull over to the side of the road if you are able, and only use it while driving if you absolutely need to.
• Avoid eating and drinking while driving at all costs. Researchers have found that those who snacked and drank while behind the wheel were 22% slower to react driving hazards than those without food or drink.
•Adjust before you leave or pull over. Make the call, send the text, find your destination, switch your mirrors, eat your dinner before you start to drive. If you need to make a call while on the road, pull over. If you’re lost and need to recalculate the instructions to your destination, pull over. If you’re starving and can’t wait to eat any longer, pull over.
The NSC reported that cell phone use while behind the wheel is responsible for nearly 1.6 million annual car accidents in the U.S. Please think twice before becoming the next car crash statistic. Here at KW Auto Body we understand that the only behavior we can control is our own. If you ever find yourself involved in an auto accident, big or small, please consider giving our professionals a call.