{"id":8566,"date":"2019-04-25T12:40:29","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T12:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/?page_id=8566"},"modified":"2019-10-11T13:41:08","modified_gmt":"2019-10-11T13:41:08","slug":"distracted-driving","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/distracted-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"DISTRACTED DRIVING Q&amp;A"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"td_uid_1_6a3b614e9959f\" class=\"tdc-row\"><div class=\"vc_row td_uid_1_6a3b614e995a6_rand  wpb_row td-pb-row\" ><div class=\"vc_column td_uid_2_6a3b614e996df_rand  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_empty_space td_block_wrap vc_empty_space td_uid_3_6a3b614e997fa_rand \"  style=\"height: 60px\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_4_6a3b614e9983a_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_4_6a3b614e9983a\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h1>Distracted Driving Q&amp;A<\/h1>\n<h2>With Dr. Paul Atchley, eDriving\u2019s Brain Scientist Advisor<\/h2>\n<p>Paul Atchley, PhD, is the University of South Florida\u2019s Senior Associate Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. As a Professor of Psychology, he specializes in research in cognitive factors, including the implications of multitasking on driving.<\/p>\n<p>Send your distracted driving questions to <a href=\"mailto:three60@edriving.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">three60@edriving.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_column td_uid_5_6a3b614e9b407_rand  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_6_6a3b614e9b4a1_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_6_6a3b614e9b4a1\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><p style=\"text-align: right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8645\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/05\/paul-atchley.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"350\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(window).load(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tjQuery('body').find('#td_uid_1_6a3b614e9959f .td-element-style').each(function (index, element) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(element).css('opacity', 1);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\treturn;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(window).ready(function () {\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ We need timeout because the content must be rendered and interpreted on client\r\n\t\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function () {\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tvar $content = jQuery('body').find('#tdc-live-iframe'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = undefined;\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tif ($content.length) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$content = $content.contents();\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentWindow || document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentDocument;\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t} else {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$content = jQuery('body');\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = window;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$content.find('#td_uid_1_6a3b614e9959f .td-element-style').each(function (index, element) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(element).css('opacity', 1);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t}, 200);\r\n\t\t\t<\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"td_uid_5_6a3b614e9b772\" class=\"tdc-row\"><div class=\"vc_row td_uid_7_6a3b614e9b777_rand  wpb_row td-pb-row\" ><div class=\"vc_column td_uid_8_6a3b614e9b83c_rand  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_9_6a3b614e9b8ac_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_9_6a3b614e9b8ac\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: Are audio books while driving considered a distraction?<\/h2>\n<p>A:\u00a0Audio books, or anything passive and auditory, pose no risk unless they are so engaging a driver can\u2019t ignore them, such as a sporting event you are REALLY into, and can even be a benefit of they help a driver stay mentally alert and engaged.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_10_6a3b614e9baf0_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_10_6a3b614e9baf0\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: My manager often calls me when he\/she knows I am driving \u2013 what can I do?<\/h2>\n<p>A: This is a common question. Ideally, your company would have a mobile phone policy restricting phone use while driving. In the absence of this, I would recommend raising the issue with your manager face-to-face. Tell him\/ her that you are not prepared to use your phone while driving because it puts you \u2013 and other people around you \u2013 at risk. You could agree an arrangement for scheduling calls at certain times, when you know you won\u2019t be driving. Or you could agree that you will set your phone to voicemail while you\u2019re on the road but will check it for messages periodically (when stopped in a safe place) and will return calls as soon as you can.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_11_6a3b614e9bcf3_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_11_6a3b614e9bcf3\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: What\u2019s the best way of encouraging my 18-year-old daughter not to use her phone while driving? I\u2019m quite sure she wouldn\u2019t make a call herself while driving but the pressure to respond to messages quickly is huge! How can I encourage her to resist when she hears a notification while driving?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is well documented, especially in relation to teenagers. These days, young people are almost permanently connected to their phones and often find it difficult not to check and respond to notifications right away. An important first step is to set a good example yourself by putting your own phone away while driving. This shows that it CAN be done! Speak to your teenager about the dangers associated with distracted driving and let her know why it\u2019s so important to be alert to what everyone else on the road around her is doing. Agree a routine that your daughter will stick to while driving, such as putting her phone in the trunk and replying to messages once she\u2019s out of her vehicle. Finally, there must be consequences for your teen if they choose to use their phone while driving. Sadly, for a teen \u201caddicted\u201d to their phone, it might only be the fear of significant consequences (losing the phone and\/or driving privileges) that can stop this risky behavior.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_12_6a3b614e9bf2e_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_12_6a3b614e9bf2e\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: I spend a lot of my day on the road for work, traveling between appointments. I often need to make phone calls during this time as otherwise I wouldn\u2019t get to make them at all; or wouldn\u2019t manage to get to all of my appointments. I always use hands-free but I worry that I\u2019m still using my phone more than I should be while driving. What can I do?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Ask yourself this question. If you\u2019re using only half your brain during phone calls while driving, are these calls really as productive as you think? If you\u2019re struggling to fit in phone calls around your other commitments I\u2019d recommend speaking to your manager to adjust your schedule. This might involve scheduling an hour in the morning for calls before getting on the road or taking a break from driving midway through the morning or afternoon to call customers. Doing both at the same time has a negative impact on both, and when it comes to driving, this has a significant impact on your safety. If a CEO can put down their phone while driving, you can, too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_13_6a3b614e9c0e1_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_13_6a3b614e9c0e1\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: I know I should put my phone out of sight while driving but I\u2019m worried that I might miss an urgent call about one of my kids or family members. What\u2019s your advice?<\/h2>\n<p>A: It\u2019s unrealistic to attempt to be reachable 24\/7. Planning ahead can help prevent you from feeling you\u2019re the only one able to deal with a certain situation. If your kids are at school, make sure the school has several emergency numbers such as a partner, grandparent or family friend. If your kids are out with friends, make sure they have the number of other people they can contact if they need anything. If you know you\u2019ll be driving, let them know in advance and tell them you might not be able to answer straight away if they call. Let them know who else they should contact in the event of an emergency. Also, think about the number of times you have had a genuine emergency call either about or from your child. The chances are that most conversations can wait!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_14_6a3b614e9c2aa_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_14_6a3b614e9c2aa\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: If I stop driving to return a phone call I\u2019m more likely to make myself late for my next appointment and end up rushing. Yet, if I answer using hands-free I\u2019ll be on time. Isn\u2019t it better to avoid rushing by taking the call while driving?<\/h2>\n<p>A: It\u2019s important to realize that these are not the only two options. I would never advocate rushing while driving but neither would I advocate making a hands-free call to avoid it. Planning is the solution to avoiding both of these risky behaviors. If you know you need to make a phone call mid-way through your trip, leave earlier to allow time to stop off. Even if you don\u2019t know you\u2019ll need to make a call, but you usually receive calls while driving, consider leaving earlier and setting aside 30 minutes mid-way through your trip to return calls. Better yet, set up a \u201cdo not disturb\u201d option on the phone, with a voice message to call back immediately if the call is critical, so you know any call that gets through might require you to pull over. Most calls can wait.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_15_6a3b614e9c437_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_15_6a3b614e9c437\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: Does using my GPS count as distracted driving?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Used correctly, GPS can also help you to avoid distracted driving by helping you to find your destination more easily. The key is to set it up before you drive and refrain from interacting with it while you\u2019re driving.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_16_6a3b614e9c5bb_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_16_6a3b614e9c5bb\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: How is using a phone while driving any different to eating a sandwich or having a drink while driving?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Engaging in any secondary activity while driving is potentially distracting though some simple behaviors like drinking coffee are routine and don\u2019t take much of your attention. Using a phone, however, is distracting for multiple reasons. There\u2019s not only the physical distraction of holding your phone in your hand (if using a hand-held device) but also the mental distraction, which is actually more problematic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_17_6a3b614e9c787_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_17_6a3b614e9c787\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: If hands-free calls are so dangerous, why isn\u2019t it illegal to use a hands-free phone while driving?<\/h2>\n<p>A: In some countries and states a driver could be prosecuted for using a hands-free device if they are involved in a collision while distracted, whether hand-held or hands-free. Laws are not a measure of risk, but a measure of public will.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_18_6a3b614e9c902_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_18_6a3b614e9c902\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: My new car has technology that lets me make phone calls without pressing a button and to listen to text messages without looking at my phone. If the manufacturers put this technology in my vehicle, surely it is safe?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Most technology features in cars are not evaluated or regulated for their effect on the driver. The guidelines are very loose, and they generally do not keep up with the changing technologies. Vehicle manufacturers are constantly developing safety technology improvements such as automatic braking systems that help to make drivers safer. But communications and infotainment enhancements are generally designed to make the driver more \u201cenjoyable\u201d, not particularly any safer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_19_6a3b614e9cc0f_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_19_6a3b614e9cc0f\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: My sales role means that I really need to answer calls from customers, even if I\u2019m driving. I think it would look bad on the company if I didn\u2019t get back to them for several hours, and I\u2019m sure my manager wouldn\u2019t be happy! What advice do you have?<\/h2>\n<p>A: Actually, the opposite is true. People make the mistake of thinking they\u2019re more productive if they can engage in phone conversations at the same time as driving. But do you think it looks good to a customer if you\u2019re only using half your brain during a conversation? There is no good business case for employees to use their phones while driving. It hurts productivity, it decreases safety, and it sends a message to employees that leadership doesn\u2019t care about them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_wrapper wpb_text_column td_block_wrap td_block_wrap vc_column_text td_uid_20_6a3b614e9cea1_rand  td-pb-border-top td_block_template_9\"  data-td-block-uid=\"td_uid_20_6a3b614e9cea1\" \"><div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div><div class=\"td-fix-index\"><h2>Q: I\u2019m required in a conference call every Monday morning but I also need to be on the road at that time to travel to appointments. I don\u2019t think I have an option but to use my phone while I\u2019m driving. Can you help?<\/h2>\n<p>A: You need to speak to your manager about your schedule as it\u2019s impossible to be in two places at once. Your conference call should be considered a \u201cmeeting\u201d. It should be thought of in the same way as a face-to-face meeting and you should never be expected to be in a meeting while you\u2019re driving. Your schedule should only ever involve one task at a time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(window).load(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tjQuery('body').find('#td_uid_5_6a3b614e9b772 .td-element-style').each(function (index, element) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(element).css('opacity', 1);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\treturn;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(window).ready(function () {\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ We need timeout because the content must be rendered and interpreted on client\r\n\t\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function () {\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tvar $content = jQuery('body').find('#tdc-live-iframe'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = undefined;\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tif ($content.length) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$content = $content.contents();\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentWindow || document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentDocument;\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t} else {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$content = jQuery('body');\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\trefWindow = window;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$content.find('#td_uid_5_6a3b614e9b772 .td-element-style').each(function (index, element) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(element).css('opacity', 1);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t}, 200);\r\n\t\t\t<\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"jQuery(window).load(function () { jQuery('body').find('#td_uid_7_6a3b614e9ddf1 .td-element-style').each(function (index, element) { jQuery(element).css('opacity', 1); return; }); }); jQuery(window).ready(function () { \/\/ We need timeout because the content must be rendered and interpreted on client setTimeout(function () { var $content = jQuery('body').find('#tdc-live-iframe'), refWindow = undefined; if ($content.length) { $content = $content.contents(); refWindow = document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentWindow || document.getElementById('tdc-live-iframe').contentDocument; } else { $content [...]","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8566","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8566"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8566\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}