A post from Travelers Insurance reminds us of the importance of not being distracted while driving. The original post can be found here at http://travl.rs/1MdkpWB.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert your attention away from the main task of driving.
- It is something that is both dangerous and disturbingly common. In fact, drivers spend more than half of their time focused on things other than driving.
- You may be surprised to learn that cell phones and texting are just part of the problem when it comes to distracted driving. While stowing your phone while you drive is an important safety step, other behaviors behind the wheel, from drinking coffee to using a navigation system, may also be putting you at risk.
“The fact is, everything that occupies your mind or your vision can contribute to distraction behind the wheel,” explains Chris Hayes, Safety Professional from Travelers. “While many distracted driving studies focus on cell phones, any type of multi-tasking activity and driving simply do not mix.”
A list of driving distractions may include:
- Dialing or using a smartphone
- Texting
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading
- Programming a GPS or navigation system
- Adjusting a radio or MP3 player