Six steps to ditching driver distractions

As vehicles grow to be far more sophisticated and more gadgets creep into the cabin, the risk of driver distraction increases, specifically if you’re not certain exactly where you’re going and your focus is torn in between the satnav and the road ahead.

Throw a couple of little ones into the mix and it’s a miracle families finish any journey without having some impromptu off-roading  – final year scientists worked out that young children are 12 instances a lot more distracting to a driver than speaking on a mobile telephone, although no-one has so far been brave sufficient to contact for a ban on little ones in vehicles.

So provided the amount of factors vying for your focus while you’re behind the wheel, how are you anticipated to preserve your eyes and your mind on the road? These 5 prime ideas are a great place to start…

1. Perform out what’s distracting you

The initial issue to do is work out what habitually tends to distract you and take measures to neutralise it.

Certainly, you can not banish the little ones to the boot, but you can stow away loose products that could roll around the cabin and put aside any unnecessary electronic devices, including your smartphone.

2. Get ready prior to you go

A recent study from Brake, the road safety charity, and Direct Line insurance coverage identified 20% of motorists admitted undertaking their hair or applying make-up although at the wheel, with 5% admitting they did so in cost-free-flowing targeted traffic.

And last year a lorry driver caught brushing his teeth even though driving along the motorway (see the video below) was just one particular of 198 men and women prosecuted for equivalent offences during a 5-day police operation across the motorways of Hampshire and Thames Valley.

So to keep away from this potentially fatal distraction, just make positive you finish your private grooming prior to you get set off!

3. Know where you are going

GPS technology and satnavs have produced obtaining from A to B, even though simultaneously avoiding C, D and E, a whole lot simpler (and have probably saved a great couple of relationships into the bargain). But they can still be a big distraction, particularly if you are lost and commit far more time seeking at the satnav than the road.

So strategy you are journey prior to you leave and, if you do take an unexpected detour, pull more than at the very first chance to get your bearings.

If you have not got a satnav, reading a map at the wheel is not an alternative – a 73-year-old motorist has just been fined more than £1,000 and banned from driving for a year after he was caught flicking by way of an atlas even though driving along the A59.

4. Get the youngsters to belt-up

If you are ferrying the kids around, make certain they’re strapped into their seats prior to you drive off – and do not leave the belting-up to them.

If they do need your interest although you are driving, pull more than at the initial chance as reaching about to the back seat to sort them out is a positive-fire way to drop manage of your car.

5. Arrange your entertainment whilst stationary

Rooting around for a CD or attempting to open a packet of sandwiches even though driving is a recipe for disaster. And nursing a hot drink although at the wheel could trigger massive issues, even if you only have to brake suddenly and do not truly hit anything.

So get organised just before you start off moving. Choose your music or radio station and stick with it until you quit, and keep away from consuming and drinking totally.

Sounds draconian, and you probably will not do it (I know I won’t!), but it’s very good to at least recognise meals and drink in distinct as a supply of distraction and do whatever you can to minimise the threat it poses to your security and that of your passengers.

6. Concentrate on your driving

A bit of an obvious 1 to finish, but concentrating on your driving is the best way to keep away from falling foul of any distractions – however, it’s anything that is simpler mentioned than accomplished, especially on long, boring drives.

So if you feel your mind wandering, open a window to help preserve your self alert and hold actively scanning the road, making use of your mirrors and seeking ahead for any possible hazards.

And if you have got any suggestions on protected driving strategies, please let us know in the box under!

Six steps to ditching driver distractions