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 Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel
Ever tried to switch a CD or find a radio station while driving? Ever spilled coffee? Ever got so caught up in a conversation that you missed your turn - or worse, went through a red light? Ever seen other drivers reading the paper, or grooming themselves in the rear view mirror? Most of us have either observed or been guilty of multi-tasking behind the wheel.
"Multi-tasking while driving has become very common," comments Canada Safety Council president Emile Therien. "Drivers eat, use laptop computers, talk on the phone, and try to stop their kids from fighting. Any distraction can be dangerous if it takes your attention off the road."
Driving is one of the most demanding tasks we do, says Therien, yet a lot of drivers treat it as a secondary activity. He warns that unless you always give the driving task your top priority, you're bound to have a mishap sooner or later - and it could be a serious one.
Driver distraction in its various forms contributes to an estimated 20 to 30 percent of all collisions. A US study published last year determined driver distraction was a factor in about nine percent of serious or fatal crashes, based on police-reported crashes involving over 32,000 vehicles from 1995 to 1999. Close to 30 percent of the distraction-related crashes were attributed to something outside the vehicle - people, objects or events. Adjusting a radio, CD player or the like accounted for 11.4 percent. Other vehicle occupants were blamed in a further 10.9 percent; for example, dealing with children and conversations with passengers. Eating or drinking led to 1.7 percent of distraction-related crashes, and 1.5 percent involved using a mobile phone.
Therien fears safety problems related to driver distraction could increase as new electronic devices make their way into personal vehicles. "We're concerned about such things as complex in-vehicle systems and wireless Internet," he explains. " Thirty percent of drivers in a recent Australian study admitted they had used text messaging while driving."
Drivers must use technology responsibly, he says. Electronic devices can enhance safety. When you're stuck in traffic, using a mobile phone to say you'll be late can reduce stress and make you less inclined to drive aggressively. If you know how to take advantage of night vision technology you can avoid collisions with animals and pedestrians that are hard to see in the darkness. Problems arise when using a device distracts you from paying attention to what is happening on the road.
The Canada Safety Council offers a safety CD to help drivers understand their capabilities and limitations behind the wheel. Driven to Distraction shows drivers how to overcome distractions and focus on the driving task. The CD contains a 10-minute video and program guide. Partners on the project included: Young Drivers of Canada, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Driving School Association of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Alberta Ministry of Transportation, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec, and The Road Safety Educators Association. Driven to Distraction was produced with financial assistance from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.
The bilingual program is available free of charge to employers, driving instructors, safety associations, insurers, police and schools. To obtain copies of the Driven to Distraction CD, contact the Canada Safety Council by fax at 613-739-1566 or by e-mail at csc@safety-council.org.
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Managing Driver Distractions
Be familiar with the equipment in your car, such as the climate controls, audio system and cell phone. This is especially important if you have a new phone or unfamiliar vehicle. Practise before driving so you can perform basic functions without taking your attention off the road.
Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. If you choose to use a mobile phone, use a hands-free device, keep it in its holder, and keep conversation to a minimum.
Make sure your children are comfortable and properly buckled up. To keep children from distracting the driver, provide them with safe items they may need for the road trip.
Pull over to eat or drink. Give yourself a break from the traffic and enjoy your refreshments. Someone choking on food or spilling coffee in the vehicle can take your attention off the road.
Check your route before you leave. If you are unfamiliar with where you're going, study a road map to plan your route. Don't try to read the map while driving.
Finish grooming first. Don't rely on the time in your vehicle to take care of your personal routine such as applying make-up, combing your hair or shaving.
Avoid emotionally charged conversations, either with passengers or on your mobile phone. Such discussions can lead to aggressive or erratic driving behavior.
Never take notes while driving. Always find a safe place to stop before writing things down.
Drive defensively. Be prepared for the unsafe actions of other motorists or for poor driving conditions.
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Reference: The Role of Driver Distraction in Traffic Crashes, prepared for AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety by University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research. Available online at www.aaafoundation.org
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Safety Canada,
January 2002
2001 Survey
Safety Tips for Cell Phones
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