Optimum Driver

Attention

Avoiding distraction behind the wheel

Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off driving is a distraction. Most of them are easy to deal with before you start the engine.

Three kinds of distraction

Road safety agencies usually describe three types. Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel. Cognitive distractions take your mind off driving. Texting is especially risky because it does all three at once.

How far a glance goes

A short look away covers more road than it feels like. At 55 mph a car travels about 81 feet every second. Glance down at a phone for five seconds and you've driven about 400 feet, longer than a football field, without looking where you're going. At city speeds the distance is shorter, but there are more people, cars and surprises.

Phones

Phones are the distraction most people think of first, and for good reason. A few habits take most of the risk away:

  1. 1Set it up before you move. Start your navigation, choose your music or podcast, and send any last message while parked.
  2. 2Turn on a driving focus mode. Most phones have a do not disturb setting for driving that silences notifications and can send an automatic reply.
  3. 3Put it out of reach. A phone in a mount for navigation is better than one in your lap. A phone in the glove box or a bag is better still if you don't need it to find your way.
  4. 4Pull over to handle it. If a call or message can't wait, find a safe place to stop first.

Many states ban handheld phone use while driving, and nearly all ban texting. Rules for new drivers are often stricter. Check your state's current law with your DMV or state highway safety office.

Hands-free calls still take attention

Voice commands and hands-free calls keep your hands on the wheel, but an involved conversation still pulls your attention away from the road. Keep calls short, and end them when traffic gets busy or conditions get worse. Passengers in the car can see what's happening and will often stop talking at a tricky moment. A person on the phone can't.

In-car screens

Large touchscreens put a lot of features a tap away. Learn where the controls you use often are while parked, and use steering wheel buttons or voice controls where you can. Save menu browsing for when you're stopped.

Other common distractions

  • Food and drink. Eat before you go or stop for a few minutes. Spills lead to sudden grabs and glances.
  • Grooming. Mirrors, makeup and shaving belong at home or in a parking spot.
  • Passengers. Ask them to help with navigation and music, and to keep things calm. Young new drivers face extra risk with friends in the car, which is why many states limit passengers for them.
  • Children and pets. Settle children before you leave and pull over if they need attention. Keep pets secured so they can't climb into your lap.
  • Looking at a crash or roadside scene. Slowing to stare causes more trouble. Keep your eyes on the traffic around you.
  • Your own thoughts. Stress and strong emotion are distractions too. If you're upset, give yourself a few minutes before you drive.

A simple test. If something needs more than a quick glance or one hand for more than a moment, it can wait until you're parked.