Auto & Truck

Driving while distracted is not only dangerous for the driver; it is also dangerous for the other drivers. From texting while driving to having full blown cell phone conversations, many of us take for granted (or are in denial of) the fact that while we are driving a vehicle, our full attention should be on the roadway.

One group of people that consistently has problems staying focused on the roadways while driving are parents. When one parent is shuttling around his or her children plus their friends, things can get rowdy at times- especially if the children are young. As a parent, the natural inclination is to always want to protect their child from harm. However, how are you protecting your child when your eyes are constantly shifting to them and are not focused on the road and your other surroundings? It all goes back to a simple rule that you learned in driver's education class. Remember when the instructor told you that you should always periodically check your mirrors while you are driving so that you are aware of who is around you? What about the rule where you should always glance over your shoulder prior to switching lanes? In order to properly switch lanes on a roadway, you are supposed to first look in your rear view mirror, put on your indicator, glance over your shoulder and then make your move. This may sound somewhat complex, and that is because it is! There are many complex movements involved in everyday driving that we don't even think about because we have got them down to a science.

Now picture the above scenario but with a screaming child in the back seat. Now, in order to change lanes, you glance in your rear view to check on your child, forget to put the indicator on, quickly glance in the side way mirror and switch lanes while continuing to glance in your rear view (sometimes turning around) to look at the child. What is going on around you on the road while you are driving? Do you know? If someone were to videotape your driving, what would it look like? Would it show a car swerving all over the road and not staying within its lane? Would you be concerned if you had to drive next to someone who was driving the way you were?

Distraction can also take form by the way of food. Yes, food. Drive-thrus have been great because they save drivers the time and effort of having to get out of their cars to go inside and order food. However, there is a fine line between multitasking (eating while driving) and maintaining a healthy level of safety. It is not always safe to eat while driving. Not only this, but if you were to take the rules of driving seriously, you wouldn't eat and drive at all because the rules dictate that you should have both of your hands on the steering wheel at all times. Think about how you have to unfold a wrapper of a hamburger or undo a piece of plastic for some other food item. How often do you find yourself staring down at your lap versus up at the road? Remember that it only takes a split second to get into a vehicular accident!