There are many factors which can distract a driver on the road. Identifying distractions and not allowing them to adversely affect the driving task are vital to accident prevention.

A. Driver Distractions - (Inside the Vehicle) Automobiles are often equipped with cellular phones, compact disc players, fax machines, etc., which distract the driver from the road. The driver must be made more aware of distractions affecting their ability to drive. Reaching for a ringing phone or searching for a radio station increases the potential for an accident. 

An article in the Los Angeles Times (February 13, 1997) cites a report by Canadian scientists which claims that talking on a cellular phone while driving quadruples the risk of having an accident, making it as dangerous as driving while drunk. The safest option is to avoid using your cellular phone while operating a motor vehicle. However, if you still choose to use your phone, please follow the safety tips below:

2. Keep the phone close to you so you won't have to reach or look for it while driving.

3. Dial only when at a stoplight or sign, or pull off the road to dial.

4. Never use your phone in distracting traffic situations or in stop and go traffic. Pull over and use the phone while off the road.

5. Disconnect your cellular phone while using jumper cables as the power surge could burn out your phone battery.

6. If you have a phone in your car, use it to report emergencies on the road by dialing 911. Always be ready to provide the closest major cross streets or off-ramps in the area. NOTE: Cellular phone users in the United States make nearly 50,000 calls each day to report highway and neighborhood emergencies.

Any situation that can mentally or emotionally distract the driver and take precedence over traffic matters is dangerous. Distractions must be kept to a minimum with the driver focused at all times.
 

 

1. This device may cause a distraction while driving : Choices: cellular phone fax machine compact disc player all of the above 2. Canadian scientists claim talking on a cellular phone while driving _______ the risk of having an accident. Choices: doubles triples quadruples does not effect 3. Driver distractions inside the vehicle include: Choices: children pets eating all of the above 4. ______ prevents a driver from keeping both hands on the steering wheel. Choices: Eating Smoking Drinking all of the above

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