Driving and Distractions Don't Mix
- Selina Paul
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, an opportunity to remind drivers of the importance of staying focused on the road - and of the very real consequences that can happen when they don’t.
For many drivers, multitasking is something they do on a regular basis while driving. That might look like taking a hand off the wheel to quickly eat or drink, fixing their hair or adjusting their clothing in the visor mirror, or flicking through radio stations or a playlist on the audio system. It can also be glancing over at an accident across the street, daydreaming, or chatting with a passenger. These sorts of actions are often seen as harmless. But in reality, these simple tasks are physical, visual, and cognitive distractions, and they have the potential to dangerously derail a drive.
“In 2024, there were 3,208 people killed and more than 315,000 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.”
Multitasking is Impossible
While many drivers believe they can safely drive while doing other tasks, research shows that true multitasking is a myth. The brain can only manage one thing at a time. What seems like multitasking is actually the brain rapidly switching focus back and forth between activities. When driving, this split in attention means that each task is not being given full concentration. Additionally, each time the brain switches from one task to another, there is a delay as it reorients to the new task. This seriously compromises a driver’s ability to process information and react quickly. It also makes a driver more likely to miss important cues related to sudden hazards or signals from other drivers, all of which makes avoiding a close call or deadly crash that much harder.
“When drivers lose focus, it’s often pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users who face the greatest danger.”
The Small Screen with Big Consequences
Of all the non-driving things people do behind the wheel, using a cell phone to talk or text, and more and more often to scroll on social media, are the most common distractions. Using your phone while driving involves all three types of distraction – physical, visual, and cognitive - making it a ‘triple threat’ and one of the riskiest things you can do on the road. Research suggests that crash risk is 2-6 times greater when drivers are using a cell phone compared to non-distracted driving.
Texting behind the wheel, and distracted driving more generally, have grown into such a widespread safety issue that it is increasingly being called “the new impaired driving.”
“A distracted driver can function — or malfunction — in much the same way a drunk driver does. Both have impaired capabilities and judgment. Both have the potential to cause serious injury to themselves and others on the road.”
Drive Responsibly
Distracted driving is 100% preventable. All it takes is a conscious choice to recognize, eliminate, and avoid habits that pull your focus from safe driving. You can set yourself up for a distraction-free drive by following these safety tips:
Before You Drive:
Silence notifications, activate “Do Not Disturb”, or put your phone out of sight
Program navigation, playlists, or other audio before hitting the road
Set an autoreply message to let others know you are driving, or appoint your passenger as the “designated texter” to respond to messages
Reminders on the Road:
Red lights and stopped traffic are still moments of active driving, meaning phone use is still illegal and unsafe
Hands-free features may seem like a safe option, but beware the cognitive distraction it creates
If you need to use your phone, pull over to a safe location and park the vehicle before using your device
This April, commit to distraction-free driving - and carry that focus with you all year long.
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