We are all guilty of distracted driving. It can be something as simple as picking up your cellphone to check a message or taking your eyes off the road because something caught your attention along the way.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says internationally, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As such, MasterDrive is taking the opportunity to share information on distracted driving in order to contribute to the month of awareness. Herbert highlights: "There are three types of distracted driving and it behoves us to understand their effect.
"Drivers must understand distracted driving is not limited to visual distraction alone. Manual and cognitive distractions also affect driving. Whether experienced simultaneously or separately, take measures to prevent each type of distraction," says Herbert.
Visual distraction:
According to Motorpress, this occurs when you are physically taking your eyes off the road. It can be reading a text, posting on social media or adjusting the radio.
"Avoid this by never picking up your phone while driving. Install an app such as ping that allows you to manage your communication without removing your eyes from the road. Use the controls on your steering wheel to control the radio and limit this to volume adjustments only. Save more complex tasks for later."
Manual distraction:
This is when drivers remove their hands from the steering wheel or gearstick to eat, drink or once again pick up the mobile cellphone. Even smoking is seen as a manual distraction.
"When using a phone, the solution is similar to that suggested to end visual distractions. If you need to eat, rather find a safe place to stop and eat. While distractions cause different reactions in people one of the most common responses is to slow down by up to 5km/h. Thus, many drivers would be surprised by how little time is saved by continuing to drive while eating," says Herbert.
Cognitive distractions:
This means your concentration has been taken off the road by talking to your friends or family in the car, road rage, driving after consuming alcohol or drugs and driving when you are exhausted. Even Bluetooth is considered a cognitive distraction.
"The solution to cognitive distraction is simply to avoid these behaviours, especially as most are actually illegal. When it comes to cognitive distraction caused by cellphones, new technology gives drivers the power to decide which communication can be delayed until later and which you need to be made aware of while driving."
"It is important to understand how you can be distracted while driving. With this understanding you can also avoid falling victim to the misconception that you are not distracted because your eyes are on the road," says Herbert.
Don’t be distracted, download ping to help you stop using your phone while driving, follow this link https://www.masterdrive.co.za/ping/
Picture: Motorpress
