Distracted by Distractions

First of all, if you’re reading this article while driving… stop it.  Secondly, although texting and phone calls have gotten quite a bit of attention when the topic of distracted driving comes up, it seems that there are other things that can take your eyes off the road.

A new study shows that parents are at risk of distracted driving because of the simple fact that their kids are in the car with them.  Australian researchers found that in a 16 minute trip, the average parent takes his or her eyes off the main job of driving for a total of three minutes and 22 seconds.  In fact, babies in the car can be eight times as distracting as just having an adult sitting next to you.

This bundle of joy is a HUGE distraction!

While it’s not practical to NOT have your kids in the car, it’s also impossible to leave home the other thing that has been cited.  Your own daydreaming brain.  

According to Erie Insurance Group, 62 percent of the crashes that were caused by distracted driving can be attributed to people being lost in thought.  Daydreaming. 

Distracted driving is a pretty serious problem, and the more buttons, lights, sounds, and devices that are put into are cars, the bigger the problem seems to get.  Despite all the technology that is out there, it’s important to remember your number one job while driving… is to drive.