Weapons of Mass Distraction

Distracted Driving is a term that I have been hearing quite a bit about lately. Mostly, they are talking about cell phone use. But there are a few other things that are also considered distracted driving. Like putting on make-up, reading a map, shaving, eating, tuning your radio, lighting a cigarette, electronic navigation systems, or anything else that takes your mind (or eyes) off the road. Even talking to a passenger can be considered distracted driving.

Since this is a new way to catagorize accidents, there aren't many statistics yet. But they are working on it and I expect there will be some numbers soon. According to an A.P. article written by Jim Suhr, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, says distracted drivers cause at least 4000 accidents per day and possibly as many as 8000 per day! CarAccident.com says that 26% of all traffic fatalities are caused by distracted drivers and that traffic fatalities caused by cell phone users have gone up 800% since 1993! Of course, there weren't many cell phones in those days.

Some people can talk on the phone and drive safely at the same time. Some can't. Especially if the conversation is heated or very complicated, or if the road or traffic conditions are very complicated. Whenever I talk on my cell phone, I try to do it in an area where the road is straight and traffic is not too heavy. But sometimes someone will call me when I am trying to back into a dock and I am in the middle of a busy street, or trying to manuever through a very difficult area. In that case, I usually wont answer it. It's a good thing I have caller ID, I can simply call them back later

There are so many people and organizations campaining against distracted drivers, that it wont be long until there are new laws on the books. ABC and CNN are even jumping on the bandwagon against distracted drivers. Many States are considering legislation against it. Some states dont want to write a law specific to cell phone use, because there are many other things that can distract a driver. And they want to keep the door open for law enforcement officers. That way, they can write a ticket to a person who is zig-zagging for any reason. If a bee gets in your vehicle and starts buzzing around your ear, that would distract almost anybody. If they start writing laws on distracted driving, you could possibly even get a ticket for that. And by the way, I read somewhere a long time ago, that the number one cause for a single vehicle accident (like car vs. pole or car vs. building, etc.), is a bee in the car. 

History shows that distracted driving started happening long ago. General Motors web site (GM.com), says that in 1913, when mechanical wipers became standard equipment on American cars, many people criticized them, predicting that their rhythmic motion would distract drivers and lull them into an almost trance-like state. In 1930, two states unsuccessfully attempted to ban radios in cars, saying they distract drivers and disturb the peace. In 1954, when Ray Kroc bought McDonalds, he had the big idea that people would like to buy fast food at a drive through window. And obviously he was right. Since then, more and more people have been eating while they drive.

They say that we only use a small percentage of our brain most of the time. When you are on the phone, eating, or looking for a radio station, you are using a percentage of your brain that should be directed toward the road. When you are driving, you can't afford to take your mind off of the road. If you are driving in a big city, there are plenty enough distractions all around you; crazy drivers, traffic lights, road rage, traffic jams, sudden stops, tailgaters, lane dodgers, traffic control signs and billboards everywhere, a pretty girl in the car next to you, not to mention complications caused by weather and nighttime limits on visibility.

Approximately 42% of all accidents and 58% of fatal accidents occur at night or during other degraded visibility conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration accident statistics. These 2.8 million annual police reported accidents, including 23,000 fatal crashes, represent accidents in which visibility may be a contributing factor. So please, especially at night, pay attention to the road and not that hamburger.

Instead of holding a cell phone to your ear, try getting a hands free model or feature. If you must eat while you drive, get something that you can hold in one hand, that doesn't make a mess. Set your food up next to you before you take off and make sure you use a cup holder for your drink. Know where all of your buttons are on your radio, so that you don't have to look at it when you are searching for a new channel. Never read while driving! If you don't know where you're going, please stop and look at the map. Know exactly where you are going before you leave. One minute stopped is better than ten minutes of driving around trying to find something. I've even heard of drivers using the bathroom while driving. If you really have to go, please stop for one minute. One minute isn't going to kill you, but trying to save one might.

With all of these distractions, it simply doesn't make sense to add to it by eating and talking on a cell phone, etc. But many people do. As for me, I get distracted by drivers who are distracted! When I see someone zig-zagging, I pull up next to them and look at them and many times they are on the phone or trying to read a newspaper or something. I've done it myself too (slowed down or zig-zagged unintentionally while talking on the phone). That's how I know that it isn't easy to do five things at once. Driving a truck is difficult enough. And this is coming from a guy who can pat his head and rub his stomach in a circular motion at the same time.

Ken Skaggs
C2001

1. Understand Traffic Waves
2. Prevent Traffic Jams
3. Stay Calm
4. Do The Math
5. Be Predictable
6. Time Traffic Lights
7. Expect the Expected
8. Compensate for the Ignorant
9. Teach Others
10. Make Sure an Accident is Never Your Fault
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