Caldwell Business Fleet Leasing Company

The last few weeks of the year are always filled with more traffic. People are traveling for business, traveling to visit loved ones, finishing their holiday shopping and hurrying around town to squeeze in a number of last minute things before their holiday break begins. Everyone is distracted and distractions can lead to disaster. 

 

Driving a vehicle requires 100% of your focus. It involves coordination, attention and reflexes. Here are 5 distractions that, alone, can lead to vehicle crashes or near-crashes but are often combined in a driver’s daily routines:   

 

·         Cellular Phone use. Cellular phone use has become part of our routine. Whether you are talking, texting, emailing, using a map feature or other popular applications, you are not paying attention to the road and your surroundings. Many states have put laws into place to deter drivers from using cellular phones while behind the wheel, but that hasn’t stopped most drivers. 

·         Passengers. Many of us carpool, drive our children and their friends to school and activities and share rides with friends and family on various outings. The driver cannot be the person in charge of the vehicle entertainment! Getting out toys and books, finding a radio station, putting on a movie or doling out snacks all take away from the driver’s focus on the road. 

·         Eating. No time for breakfast or lunch? Why not drive up, grab something and eat on the go? Getting your sandwich unwrapped and ready to eat while putting the straw into your soda will require you to focus on your food, not driving. 

·         Makeup and shaving. In an effort to save time or even make up time, drivers leave some things for their commute. You may be running late for the office and instead of taking 5 more minutes to apply your make-up or shave, you grab your make-up or electric shaver and head out the door. After all, isn’t that one function of the rearview mirror? 

·         Reading. Maps, business materials, newspapers, magazines, emails, etc. all lead to taking your eyes and focus off the road. 

 

It is difficult enough to drive while reacting to changing driving conditions and the behaviors of other drivers. The key to staying focused while driving is to take an extra five minutes to ensure that you are prepared. Make sure your passengers are ready and will be kept busy for the duration of the drive. Prepare yourself for the drive. Do you know where you are going? Have your route planned and review your directions ahead of time. Pull over. If you need to eat, use the phone, send a text or email, you will ultimately save time and be safer if you stop and take care of your needs. 

 

Road safety should be a priority for you, for your passengers and for those travelers sharing the road with you. Make every effort to pay attention and stay focused.