Deadly Distractions on the Road
Watching YouTube videos of cats swimming in a pool, backyard wrestling, or babies dancing can do wonders for passing the time. Doing it while driving can cause a multi-car pile-up, then a reunion at the pearly gates with your late Aunt Mildred.
I told you so, she'll scold you, with her finger annoyingly waiving in front of your nose.
Distractions are the leading cause of accidents on the road today and they are completely avoidable. Everyone has seen a driver feverishly texting on their cell phone as their car veers off the road oblivious to an impending disaster.
Whether you are working towards your license, already have one, or are an alien just visiting from Venus and driving on our beautiful planet, you may find it beneficial having this list of driving distractions.
Here is a list of some common distractions that are most likely to cause an accident. Study up, then prove Aunt Mildred wrong by abiding by them. The other drivers on the road will thank you as well.
Adjusting the Music
Changing the radio station, swapping in a new CD or fiddling with an iPod can distract you long enough to lose your focus on the road. All it takes is a split second of distracted concentration for disaster to strike.
Applying Makeup
Every woman knows that making herself pretty in the car on the way to work saves valuable time. It is also a great way to completely lose track of the road and cause a pile-up.
Road Rage
The road can be a blistering inferno of anger, even for the most god-fearing, kind, and law-abiding individual. Cutting off or passing a driver are two examples of how to turn a polite motorist into an enraged demon hot on the pursuit of revenge. When you are not yourself on the road, poor judgments are made. Two wrongs don't make a right. (See, this blog is filled with life lessons). If someone cuts you off, take a deep breath and think before you do anything crazy. Chances are the person made a mistake and didn't mean to cut you off.
Fiddling with Cell Phone, GPS, other electronics
Now that hands free earpieces are available, it has cut down on cell phone related accidents but they still account for roughly 18 percent of fatalities on the road. Texting, more capable internet-enabled phones, and camera phones have led to new dangers, but accidents can be avoided if phones are left out of reach.
Working on car while driving
Unless you are driving on long trips on a daily basis, your car is sitting at rest for the majority of the day. Use that time to adjust gauges, seats, clocks, mirrors, and other general maintenance for your car, not while on the road.
Eating
No one wants to let their Big Mac get cold after departing a drive-thru, but eating in the car can be a dangerous habit. It is easy to avoid. Put that burger down. You're welcome.
Talking with Passengers
Sure, you may want to hear what is going on with Tina from Geometry class as much as the next person, but listening to friends in the car can lead to lost focus and that's when problems arise.
Pets
The in-thing these days is to have a pet that can fit snuggly inside your purse, backpack, or shirt pocket. When these fluffy friends aren't secure in a cage, they can become quite the distraction in the car.
Scolding Kids
Are we there yet?
I need to use the bathroom.
I'm hungry!
Parents have heard it all, and sometimes even Mary Poppins can lose her cool at times. Attempting to teach your children a lesson in the car for misbehaving can distract you for far longer than the moment of time it takes for your car to head off course.
If you stay away from some of these simple distractions the road will be a better place, and you will live another day on this Earth.
Watching YouTube videos of cats swimming in a pool, backyard wrestling, or babies dancing can do wonders for passing the time. Doing it while driving can cause a multi-car pile-up, then a reunion at the pearly gates with your late Aunt Mildred.
I told you so, she'll scold you, with her finger annoyingly waiving in front of your nose.
Distractions are the leading cause of accidents on the road today and they are completely avoidable. Everyone has seen a driver feverishly texting on their cell phone as their car veers off the road oblivious to an impending disaster.
Whether you are working towards your license, already have one, or are an alien just visiting from Venus and driving on our beautiful planet, you may find it beneficial having this list of driving distractions.
Here is a list of some common distractions that are most likely to cause an accident. Study up, then prove Aunt Mildred wrong by abiding by them. The other drivers on the road will thank you as well.
Adjusting the Music
Changing the radio station, swapping in a new CD or fiddling with an iPod can distract you long enough to lose your focus on the road. All it takes is a split second of distracted concentration for disaster to strike.
Applying Makeup
Every woman knows that making herself pretty in the car on the way to work saves valuable time. It is also a great way to completely lose track of the road and cause a pile-up.
Road Rage
The road can be a blistering inferno of anger, even for the most god-fearing, kind, and law-abiding individual. Cutting off or passing a driver are two examples of how to turn a polite motorist into an enraged demon hot on the pursuit of revenge. When you are not yourself on the road, poor judgments are made. Two wrongs don't make a right. (See, this blog is filled with life lessons). If someone cuts you off, take a deep breath and think before you do anything crazy. Chances are the person made a mistake and didn't mean to cut you off.
Fiddling with Cell Phone, GPS, other electronics
Now that hands free earpieces are available, it has cut down on cell phone related accidents but they still account for roughly 18 percent of fatalities on the road. Texting, more capable internet-enabled phones, and camera phones have led to new dangers, but accidents can be avoided if phones are left out of reach.
Working on car while driving
Unless you are driving on long trips on a daily basis, your car is sitting at rest for the majority of the day. Use that time to adjust gauges, seats, clocks, mirrors, and other general maintenance for your car, not while on the road.
Eating
No one wants to let their Big Mac get cold after departing a drive-thru, but eating in the car can be a dangerous habit. It is easy to avoid. Put that burger down. You're welcome.
Talking with Passengers
Sure, you may want to hear what is going on with Tina from Geometry class as much as the next person, but listening to friends in the car can lead to lost focus and that's when problems arise.
Pets
The in-thing these days is to have a pet that can fit snuggly inside your purse, backpack, or shirt pocket. When these fluffy friends aren't secure in a cage, they can become quite the distraction in the car.
Scolding Kids
Are we there yet?
I need to use the bathroom.
I'm hungry!
Parents have heard it all, and sometimes even Mary Poppins can lose her cool at times. Attempting to teach your children a lesson in the car for misbehaving can distract you for far longer than the moment of time it takes for your car to head off course.
If you stay away from some of these simple distractions the road will be a better place, and you will live another day on this Earth.