The hazards of distracted driving
We all know that driving needs a lot of concentration, but many of us are guilty of slipping into auto pilot. Driving is something that requires all of our attention and there are so many things we need to watch out for: a vehicle pulling out without indicating, a change in speed limit, traffic queues, delayed braking by the vehicle in front and accidents on the road. So why do something that would distract us from this?
Thousands of drivers across the UK are guilty of calling someone from the car, whether it be hands-free or not (which is illegal). Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the very real danger of hands-free devices.
We Brits are not the only guilty ones. In America there has been an increase in the number of deaths because of driver distractions such as mobile phones, both hands-free and hand-held and nearly 30% of all crashes involve a mobile phone.
Why is using a hand-held mobile phone illegal, but hands-free is not? The main issue is not being in control of your vehicle, and police still have every right to stop you and issue you with a penalty notice even if you are using a hands-free device and they believe you are distracted.
So what is the science behind it? The brain cannot actually do two things at the same time, contrary to popular belief, and studies have shown that when a driver is looking at the road but talking on a phone, hands-free or otherwise they can miss up to 50% of what is going on around them. This could result in a near-miss or even a fatal collision.
In a world where most of us are glued to our phones, how can we reduce the risk and limit the number of accidents because of driver distractions? Firstly, turn your phone on silent and leave it in your bag. After all, out of sight, out of mind.
Secondly, do not make or answer calls if you are connected to a hands-free device, and if you do have to make a call then park where it is safe to do so before you do.
Remember, all it takes is one split second in a lapse of concentration to crash, or be put in the path of a one. So limit the likelihood of using a hands free device and don’t forget, just because you think you are in control, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are.
Thousands of drivers across the UK are guilty of calling someone from the car, whether it be hands-free or not (which is illegal). Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the very real danger of hands-free devices.
We Brits are not the only guilty ones. In America there has been an increase in the number of deaths because of driver distractions such as mobile phones, both hands-free and hand-held and nearly 30% of all crashes involve a mobile phone.
Why is using a hand-held mobile phone illegal, but hands-free is not? The main issue is not being in control of your vehicle, and police still have every right to stop you and issue you with a penalty notice even if you are using a hands-free device and they believe you are distracted.
So what is the science behind it? The brain cannot actually do two things at the same time, contrary to popular belief, and studies have shown that when a driver is looking at the road but talking on a phone, hands-free or otherwise they can miss up to 50% of what is going on around them. This could result in a near-miss or even a fatal collision.
In a world where most of us are glued to our phones, how can we reduce the risk and limit the number of accidents because of driver distractions? Firstly, turn your phone on silent and leave it in your bag. After all, out of sight, out of mind.
Secondly, do not make or answer calls if you are connected to a hands-free device, and if you do have to make a call then park where it is safe to do so before you do.
Remember, all it takes is one split second in a lapse of concentration to crash, or be put in the path of a one. So limit the likelihood of using a hands free device and don’t forget, just because you think you are in control, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are.
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