HSE Insights on combating Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is defined as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.”Of these potential distractions, the most dangerous and common is talking or texting on a cell phone. Having one lets you call for help if your vehicle breaks down, or you need to report an accident. However, driving in heavy traffic during rush hour or through construction zones while chatting or texting with your office, a customer, a friend or your spouse is an unnecessary hazard to yourself and other drivers on the road. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.

Legislation

To address this hazard, the following laws have been enacted to reduce distracted driving:

Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving has been banned in several states

The use of all cellphones by novice drivers is restricted in 38 states and the District of Columbia

Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 46 states and the District of Columbia

Novice drivers are banned from texting in Missouri and Texas

Let’s examine the guidelines to avoid distracted driving:

Effects of cell phone use while driving:

Texting someone while driving takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, at 55 MPH you’ll travel the length of a football field in that time

You’re driving performance while talking or texting on your phone is comparable to, or worse than, driving with a blood alcohol level of .08, which is the legal limit in most states

In heavy traffic, cell phone users were about 20 percent slower to respond to road hazards than other drivers

Cell phone users were about twice as likely to rear-end a braking car in front of them

Cell phone users see only about half of the visual information while driving that non-cell phone drivers see

A recent report from NHTSA shows that you’re 23 times more likely to be in an accident if you text while driving

In order to stay a safe driver while using your cell phone, use common sense:

Pull off to the side of the road or into a parking lot to use your phone

Use a “hands-free” set even if it’s not required in your state

If you have passengers in the vehicle with you, let someone else make the call for you

If none of the above are possible and you must make a call, keep the conversation brief and hang up or simply drop the phone if you encounter a risky driving situation

Keep a greater distance between your vehicle and other vehicles while talking on the phone

Don’t dial the phone or text while in traffic, wait for a stop or pull safely off the road

Keep conversations short. Don’t use the cell phone while driving for social visiting or other unnecessary tasks that can be taken care of later when it doesn’t endanger the lives of you or others

Psychology studies show that whether talking with a passenger or someone on the phone, people are less able to recall the details of a conversation carried on while driving. So, in addition to the possibility of getting into an accident, it might not be smart to discuss business or personal relationships on the phone while driving.

ROAD RAGE

Most people driving are just trying to get where they’re going. Incidents and encounters with other drivers who may do something incredibly rude, thoughtless or careless can happen every day. Depending on traffic patterns, everyday driving can be extremely stressful.

Furthermore, what the media calls road rage is simply aggressive driving. Road rage incidents are occurring more frequently, and people are being attacked or injured because they honked their horn. Many aggressive drivers have incredibly short fuses, and you don’t want to be the one to light them.

If you’re concentrating on driving safely, you’ll probably see someone running a red light, approaching from behind at high speed or weaving through traffic, and you’ll have time to get out of their way ahead of time. It’s generally a good idea to avoid changing lanes any more than you need to, because weaving through traffic can anger other drivers. If someone is weaving through traffic from behind, simply move over and let them go by.

Aggressive Driving

In many states, you can be cited for aggressive driving if you commit a series of acts while driving that are considered to present an immediate hazard to other drivers. You can be cited for aggressive driving if you’re speeding and commit two of the following violations: failure to obey traffic signs or signals; passing another vehicle on the right side; unsafe lane change; following too close, or; failure to yield to emergency vehicles.

The penalties for aggressive driving can include fines, being required to attend a Traffic Survival School course, and you can even have your license suspended.

Important Defensive Driving Techniques

“Defensive Driving” means being constantly aware of the driving conditions, planning, anticipating dangers and taking the right action to avoid accidents.

Suggestions for Staying Calm

You can avoid becoming emotional while driving by planning your trip, knowing the best way to get to your destination helps reduce anxiety and stress. Concentrate on driving and leave distracting worries behind you. Listen to music you enjoy. Respond with courtesy if you are provoked by another motorist. If a problem occurs and you feel yourself getting angry, take deep breaths and count to 10. Don’t retaliate by flashing your headlights, honking the horn, or making rude gestures, these will only make a bad situation worse. If you’re the victim of aggression, get the license plate number and report the incident as soon as possible.

Aggressive driving tactics such as passing on the shoulder, cutting in line, tailgating, changing lanes without signaling and cutting off drivers and weaving through heavy traffic will make you the target of road rage a lot quicker than if you drive in a friendly, courteous manner. Doing so will help you avoid accidents, tickets, or other problems.

Another key defensive driving skill is compromise. Give the most room to the greatest risk, or most likely danger. Don’t insist on your right of way even if the other driver is wrong. Courtesy is always the correct response, allow aggressive drivers to go on their way and out of your safe driving zone.