The Blind Side
Close your eyes and count, “1…2…3…4.”
Now imagine you were driving a car when you did that.
More than 3,000 people were killed nationwide in distracted-affected crashes in 2012. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Distracted driving includes: texting, using a cellphone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, using a navigational system, watching a video or adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player.
Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which at 55 mph is equivalent to driving the length of a football field.
Michigan law prohibits texting while driving. A first offense, is a $100 fine. Subsequent offenses cost $200. Kelsey’s Law makes it illegal for Level 1 and Level 2 License holders (under the Graduated Driver Licensing Program) to use a cell phone in the vehicle while driving. Violations are a civil infraction and fees may be up-to $240. No points are assessed. (There are exemptions for reporting a traffic crash, medical emergency, road hazard, criminal acts, or personal safety concerns. Using a voice-operated system integrated into the vehicle is also exempt.)
There are three types of distractions: visual, manual and cognitive. Visual involves taking your eyes off the road, manual consists of taking your hands off the wheel and cognitive involves taking your mind off what you’re supposed to be doing. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it requires ALL THREE of those things: visual, manual and cognitive attention of the driver.
Here are some tips to help decrease distracted driving:
- Get familiar with vehicle features and equipment before driving.
- Preset radio stations, MP3 devices and climate control.
- Secure items that may move around when the car is in motion. Do not reach down or behind the seat to pick up items.
- Do not text, access the Internet, watch videos, play video games, search MP3 devices, or use any other distracting technology while driving.
- Avoid smoking, eating, drinking, and reading while driving.
- Pull safely off the road and out of traffic to deal with children.
- Do personal grooming at home--not in the vehicle.
- Review maps and driving directions before hitting the road.
- Ask a passenger to help with activities that may be distracting.
- If driving long distances, schedule regular stops to take a break, every 100 miles or two hours.
- Travel at times when you are normally awake and stay overnight rather than driving straight through the night.
- Avoid alcohol and medications that may make you drowsy.
- If you are traveling long distance for Spring Break, be sure to get plenty of sleep prior to driving. Vacations can be fun, but pushingyour limits with sleep deprivation can be very dangerous as well. Modeling good habits for back seat passengers lead to safer drivers in the future. Just because they aren’t in school doesn’t mean the lessons stop.
“1…2…3...4.”