Break the habit of distracted driving

Les Mc Master, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association

Are you guilty of texting while driving? Well statistics show that close on half of all South African drivers text while driving. “Texting while operating a vehicle is a seriously dangerous activity, but distracted driving means more than just texting. It’s any activity that takes a person’s attention away from the main task of driving,” says Les Mc Master, chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).

Types of distractions

“There are three types of distractions, namely visual, which is when the driver takes their eyes off the road; manual, a task that requires the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel; and cognitive, when the driver’s mind is not focussed on the task at hand.”

These activities could include eating and drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio or talking to passengers, to name just a few. “However, texting is the riskiest activity because it is a visual, manual and cognitive diversion, which means no attention is being paid to the road,” he says.

According to the National Roads and Motorists Association, drivers who regularly send text messages spend up to 400 per cent more time with their eyes on the phone instead of on the road. “When you’re driving, you have to think about a lot of things: your speed, the traffic laws, the direction you’re going in, road conditions, pedestrians, other cars around you. It’s a long list, and if you’re not focussed on the task at hand, there is a greater chance that you’ll be involved in an accident.”

Changing habits

For many of us, our car has become our mobile office, so changing these habits can be difficult. However, this is not a strong enough case for putting yourself and other drivers at risk, believes Mc Master. “Making driving safely your priority while in your vehicle is the first step in the right direction. It’s really a matter of being disciplined and appreciating the risks involved. Passengers can also help drivers remain focussed by reminding them when their attention is not on the road and assisting them with anything they may need,” he suggests.

SplitShire via Pixabay

He offers these additional tips to ensure safer driving:

• Don’t read, eat, change clothing or groom yourself while driving.

• Don’t allow passengers to distract you. Ensure small children are buckled up before departing and if they require attention during the trip, rather pull over to assist them.

• Don’t let animals roam around the vehicle freely, rather put them in a pet carrier which is properly restrained.

• Create a playlist with your favourite music so you don’t have to look for songs.

• Let your friends and family know you will not answer any phone calls or texts while driving.

• Keep a safe following distance, allowing yourself time to react if required.

“Let’s all work together to make our roads a safer place,” he concludes.