Distracted Drivers: Maintaining Concentration At Wheel
Modern living is rife with distractions, but controlling a rapidly moving hunk of metal whilst distracted is a spell for disaster. Here’s how to maintain your concentration whilst behind the wheel…
Don’t Use Your Car As A Restaurant
There aren’t any laws against eating or drinking at the wheel. But, if you cause an accident whilst doing so, it could be used against you in court. Eating or drinking means losing at least one of your hands from the wheel and eye-contact. Save meals for when you’re parked up and try to hydrate yourself in between stops.
Ensure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
You should be getting seven hours of sleep in general, let alone for purposes of driving. Hundreds of accidents are caused every year because of driver fatigue; many of which lead to casualties and fatalities. Make sure you’re well rested before setting off on lengthy journeys and take a break for every two hours of driving.
Put Your Phone Somewhere You Can’t Reach It (Whilst Driving)
Mobile phones are probably the greatest cause for distracted drivers. Whether it’s taking calls, texting or even browsing social media, it’s a widespread problem. Tougher measures, including larger fines and more penalty points, don’t seem to have done much to deter people either. If you can’t resist the temptation of your phone, turn it off and place it in the car’s glove box. Also consider that, recently, MPs and road charities have suggested that hands-free devices are just as distracting.
Prepare Your Routes In Advance
With the rise of sat-navs, most of us simply don’t bother planning or researching routes before we take them. But taking a test drive at a quieter time, or familiarising ourselves with place names or roads, can make journeys safer and less distracting. Messing around with sat-navs whilst on the move is not only dangerous, it can lead to the same penalties as using a mobile phone.
Keep Kids Occupied
As practically all parents will testify, young children can be exceptionally distracting in the car. It’s not surprising either, their attention spans are limited and they easily get bored. If you’re travelling with young children, make sure that they have something to keep themselves occupied with; especially on longer journeys.
Your Music Can Wait
Who doesn’t love a good tune whilst cruising down the motorway? It’s one of the pleasures of driving. But rummaging through CDs or playlists at the wheel leaves us distracted and vulnerable. You should prepare your tracks before you set off on your journey, or rely upon a passenger. It’s also worth mentioning that studies have shown that certain forms of music have a link with risk-taking. Don’t get carried away!
Save Strong Emotions For Later
Driving whilst experiencing strong emotions is a never a good idea; whether they’re good or bad. Heated arguments, tears and even euphoria can all drive us to serious levels of distraction. Should we find ourselves a little overwhelmed whilst at the wheel, the safest course of action is to pull over and park when it’s safe to do so.
Motorists Can Be Fined £1,000 For Hanging Air Fresheners In Their Cars: https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/motorists-fined-hanging-air-fresheners/
The Nation’s Speeding Habits Have Been Revealed: https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/nations-speeding-habits-revealed/
