Avoid the Three Types of Distracted Driving
Posted on Mon, Jan 17, 2011 @ 09:05 AM
The amount of technology that is so readily available today contributes quite heavily to the plight that is distracted driving. This is not to say that using a cell phone or GPS is the only thing that contributes to distracted driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving is any non-driving activity that has the potential to distract the vehicle operator.
Distracted drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 out of every six seconds. At 55 MPH, that means a texting driver travels the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road. This is the same as a football player trying to run the length of the field with his eyes closed for 9.8 seconds. A football player running at 20 MPH only takes about 13 seconds to reach the other end zone. Neither situation seems too promising.
There are three different classifications of distracted driving:
- Visual — taking your eyes off the road
- Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing
Being manually distracted is probably just as worse as being visually distracted. The difference is that you are looking at where you are going, but you are not controlling the car. Manual distraction is often caused by operating a cell phone, changing the radio, eating/drinking, and grooming. Not having your hands on the wheel leads to a delayed reaction time. When you are visually distracted you don’t see the problem quick enough so you have less time to react than if you were looking at the road. You have the same reaction time from when you see the hazard to when you react but you have less time to react. Manual distraction causes a delayed reaction because you see the hazard but have to take the time to reposition your hands before you can react and that’s where the delay comes from. The split seconds it takes to put your hands on the wheel can lead to an accident.
Cognitive distraction is caused by something taking your mind off driving or just generally losing focus of what you’re doing. There are a lot of possible distractions in a car these days whether it be cell phones, other passengers, or singing along to the radio. A study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) showed that being cognitively distracted can often be the most dangerous form of distraction. These studies were conducted by testing drivers’ performances while talking on a phone held to the ear and comparing them the performances of drivers that were using hands free devices. The tests showed that the drivers from both groups did equally as poorly in their performances.
The DOT provides excellent information on distracted driving, and tips for helping commercial truck drivers stay focused on the road. Stay informed, and prevents yourself and those around you from becoming a fatal driving statistic.