Distracted driving. You know the risks: texting while driving, talking on your phone, eating and drinking. Anything that takes your hands off the wheel and attention off the road. But what about distractions you can’t see? These could prove equally as dangerous.
Here are three hidden distractions to be aware of next time you get behind the wheel.
Loud Music
Most drivers love to play their favorite tunes, particularly when driving in summer with the windows down. But, having your radio turned up not only draws more of your focus to the song you’re singing along with – it also prevents you from being able to hear important sounds around you. The honking of car horns, the blare of an emergency vehicle, the screech of tires… all important sounds that can alert you to a potentially hazardous situation.
Conversation
If you’re traveling with a passenger it’s only natural to engage in conversation. But, if you find yourself paying more attention to your friends than to the cars around you, the risk of being involved in a crash increases by a good margin. As humans, we tend to want to look at someone who is speaking to us, thereby creating the even greater hazard of taking our eyes off of the road ahead of us. But even if you have the willpower to keep your eyes where they belong, the mental concentration that you’re giving to the conversation has the potential to put you and your passengers at risk.
Mental Distractions
Lots of people are aware of the link between distracted driving and extreme anger or sadness. And, fortunately, most people know not to get behind the wheel if they’re emotionally or mentally distracted. However, it can be equally as dangerous to be on the road if your mind is somewhere else. Maybe you have a long list of things to do at work, which is causing you stress. Perhaps you’re replaying a recent conversation in your head or you’re rehearsing your speech for a big proposal you have coming up. Any of these scenarios can be a huge distraction and keep your attention away from the drive.
How can drivers avoid hidden distractions?
The advice isn’t to turn off the radio, halt all conversations and forget everything else that’s going on in your life the minute you sit in the driver’s seat. But, being aware of the risks associated with these hidden distractions will help you to prioritize safety and create a safer environment within your vehicle, for yourself and your passengers.
Visit the eDriving website for free driving guides on all kinds of safe driving topics, including distracted driving.
