Getting distracted at the wheel dramatically increases your risk of having an accident. Being mindful and focusing on driving will help to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe. In this short guide, we will outline the biggest distractions while driving – and how you can avoid them.
Distractions can be visual, auditory, physical or cognitive. Are you looking at, listening to, feeling or thinking about something that is taking your attention away from the road? In other words, are you doing something in addition to the process of driving?
Attempting to multi-task will certainly have a detrimental effect on your driving performance. And by that, we mean everything from your reaction times, to the decisions you make, to your overall control of the car.
‘Straightforward self-discipline’
“As drivers, we now deal with more distractions than ever before,” explains Sandra Macdonald-Ames, a writer on road safety.
“There are so many potential demands on our attention, some inside the car, some on the outside and others occurring inside our heads. There is the potential for us to allow any distraction to take our minds off the central task of driving – with potentially disastrous consequences.
“But the good news is that we can banish just about any distraction, as long as we want to. This is best achieved through straightforward self-discipline and sensible journey planning.”
Being driven to distraction
So what distracts us the most, and how do we avoid it and stay mindful while driving? With help from GEM Motoring Assist, here are some workable tips for keeping your mind concentrated on the road.
Put your phone away
We hardly need to explain this one. Six points and a £200 fine is the penalty for using a mobile phone at the wheel. There can be no excuses: put it on silent or switch it off. Then place it out of reach and out of sight, to avoid the temptation to check your messages.
Bored in a traffic jam? Still don’t. It’s illegal to use a handheld phone behind the wheel unless you’re at a standstill, the engine is switched off and the keys are out of the ignition.
Map out your route
Planning your route is a great way to make driving easier. It means you are prepared for every step of the journey, instead of constantly thinking about your next move. Equally, having the route rehearsed in your head means the sat-nav won’t be so much of a distraction.
Create a music playlist
Unlike a club DJ, you won’t be criticised for having a ready-prepared set of music tracks. In fact, we recommend creating a playlist in advance, so you’re not tempted to search for particular songs while driving.
Keep the volume down and don’t get too into the music. We all love a singalong, but don’t let it divert your attention from the road.
Keep children occupied
Driving with children on board? They can be the noisiest and liveliest type of distraction. Make sure they have something to keep them busy, so they don’t busy you.
Older children should, in theory, be less of a bother. Getting their help with observations and directions can prime them for when they themselves start driving.
Don’t eat and drive
Your dietitian and car cleaner won’t be the only people who thank you for not eating inside the car. Holding a snack means you have a hand off the wheel, and your mini-meal could be a distraction.
Pull over for a bite in a service station if you simply can’t wait. Breaks for food and drink are good practice on long trips, anyway, so it’s a win-win.
Stay awake!
Of course, all of this advice means nothing if you are too tired to drive. Generally, you should be taking a 15-minute break outside the car every two hours.
A well-rested and hydrated driver is a better and safer driver, so get some fresh air frequently and stretch your legs. A coffee or caffeinated energy drink might be in order as well.
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