How many times have you passed a car and looked over to see the driver looking down into their lap? It is, unfortunately, very prevalent and extremely hazardous. When texting while driving, one’s chances of getting involved in a car accident are doubled. While this figure is alarming, it is not the only way a driver might be distracted. Driving puts not only your safety at risk but also the safety of any friends or family members who may be present, which is why you should only take lessons from the best. Head over to Emile Driving School for their best driving lessons.
Here are four indicators of distracted driving, as well as some tips on how to avoid them.
1. At Night, the Glow of a Cell Phone/Looking at Lap
As previously said, if you notice someone driving with their head down and/or gazing into their lap, it is likely they are using their phone. If their face is lighted while driving at night, this is another telling symptom of cell phone use. Though computerized dashboards are becoming more widespread, the light of a cell phone and the driver’s tendency to gaze downward rather than at the road ahead of them makes it evident whether or not they are distracted.
2. Eating
One of the most common forms of distracted driving is eating while driving. We have all been on long travels or had hectic mornings when stopping for fast food or coffee seemed the most convenient option for fuel, but eating while driving is extremely dangerous. It only takes a single second for someone to cut you off, a youngster to chase a ball or any other impediment to appear and affect your life forever. It is not worth it to split your concentration between watching the road and eating.
3. Backseat Interactions
Drivers who spend more time interacting with passengers in their vehicle than looking at the road might be quite risky. If you notice the driver making erratic gestures, it is possible that they are having a disagreement with a passenger in their vehicle. They could be chastising a child or looking for something they have dropped if they keep turning around. A driver can be distracted by a variety of factors, even if only for a minute. It is important to preserve a safe distance if you see the driver’s body language is not entirely focused on the road in front of them.
Distracted Driving Comes in a Variety of Forms
Let us talk about the many types of distracted driving now that you know the indicators. While there are numerous reasons for distracted driving, they always fall into one of three categories:
• Visual distractions: Any distraction that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road. If their eyes are not focused on the road in front of them, whether they are doing makeup, checking a phone or GPS, or staring at a passenger, they are visually distracted.
• Cognitive distractions: Cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s focus is diverted from driving to anything else. Daydreaming, conversing on the phone, and other activities fall under this category.
• Manual distractions: These are diversions in which the driver physically removes their hands from the steering wheel to do another task. It includes eating, texting, fidgeting with dashboard buttons, and other activities that often go hand in hand with cognitive distractions.
If a driver swerves, brakes erratically, or otherwise drives against the flow of traffic, they may be distracted or inebriated. If the activity continues, find a safe spot to pull over to avoid a collision and contact the appropriate authorities. Half the battle is recognizing the indicators of inattentive driving. Good luck on your journey!
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