What are you looking at? Make sure it's the road!
A recent AAA Foundation study found that turning your attention away from the roadway for just two seconds doubles your odds of being involved in a crash or a “near miss.” Think of how short a time that is — it probably took you four or five times that long just to read this sentence.
Almost anything can distract a driver, from something interesting on a billboard to a conversation with a passenger. In fact, the Foundation identifies three different kinds of distraction, any one of which can affect your driving:
- Physical distractions are things like trying to open your coffee container or looking around for toll change.
- Mental distractions are things that weigh on your mind and conversations with other people, whether they’re in the car with you or on a cell phone.
- Combined distractions have elements of both. Ever try to read a map while driving? Your hands are on the map and your brain is focused on reading it.
Next time you get behind the wheel, think about the things that distract you. Do you try to get other things done as you drive? How many times have you driven someplace and realized that you have no memory of the trip? Scary, huh?
If you’re trying to multitask while you’re trying to drive, we can guarantee that there’s at least one thing that you’re not doing as well as you should.
For more tips on improving your safety, visit www.aaafoundation.org. |
