New data from the California Highway Patrol shows that cell phones are not the leading cause of injury causing or fatal accidents in the Sacramento area. In fact it is fiddling with the radio that could get you killed. The Sacramento Bee reported these surprising findings on October 5, 2010. These statistics were determined by data acquired over the last two years, even before the hands free law was put into practice.
Distractions can be caused by many things. We’ve all been there. Whether it is kids goofing around in the back, the need to grab something to eat before you get to your destination, or the dire need to update your Facebook status, distractions are everywhere. Even the road itself can be distracting. Drivers on the side of the road, billboards, and construction zones pull our attention away from were it should be. The worst thing you can do is take your eyes off the road. Being aware of your surroundings is very important.
When you think about collisions, even the small ones often involve somebody saying something like “I didn’t notice”, “Came out of nowhere”, “Couldn’t see”, and whatever else might have occurred. The big push in California to ban cell phones without a hands free device and stop texting all together makes little sense when we look at the big picture.
It is bad enough with the radio, but when you put in a six-disc CD changer, mp3 hookup, and a GPS, the gadgets can get downright dangerous. Car manufacturers are bringing out all the bells and whistles in order to compete. With the economy so bad, it is more important now than ever before for car dealers to make sure their customers feel like they are getting a lot of bang for their buck.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has some good tips on how to prevent distractions.
1) Turn the dials before you start to drive. Whether it’s your air conditioner, your mirrors, or your radio, set it all up before you start to move your car.
2) Ask you passenger to change your radio, work your GPS, or even answer your phone if it’s that important.
3) Don’t bring accessible food with you. If it’s not there to tempt you, you can’t be distracted by it. You may also want to store your stuff in the trunk out of arm’s reach if that is an issue for you.
4) Don’t zone out. I know it’s easy to fall into a rhythm, especially during your commute, but “zoning out” can lead to “checking out.”
5) Have rules for driving with friends. Two out of three teens that die in a crash with a teen driver are passengers.
For more tips visit the Driver Distractions page at DMV.ca.gov. Driving is a part of our everyday lives. Distractions are also an everyday occurrence. Knowing what the most common distractions are and how to prevent or safely react to them is an important aspect of driving. Teach your teens these lessons and be sure to practice them as well. This is one case where “Do as I say, not as I do.” really doesn’t go over well. Pay attention out there and get home safe!
