April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

As many drivers in Louisiana are aware, distracted driving is increasingly becoming a problem across the country. Electronic devices are a major distraction for drivers, but they are by far not the only one. This month, drivers everywhere can benefit with a recap on distracted driving.

The National Safety Council has designated the month of April for people to refresh their understanding of distracted driving. Distracted Driving Awareness Month brings up many safety issues, including the high risk of crashes and fatalities when a driver’s attention is not focused on the road.

It is important to periodically revisit the numerous points on distracted driving that have been brought up in this blog. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three types of distractions are typically involved in a distracted driving incident. They include visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Collectively, these distractions take a driver’s eyes, hands, feet, body and mind off the task of driving and focus them elsewhere.

A distraction can be almost anything that diverts attention from driving, from food or changing the radio station to a child in the back seat throwing a tantrum or an accident at the side of the road. Cellphones, especially the act of texting while driving, are a particularly dangerous form of distraction because they involve all three distraction types – the driver’s eyes are on the phone screen, rather than the road; the hands are occupied with the device; and his or her mind is focused on the phone instead of driving.

When people understand the risks of distracted driving, they can start good habits to keep themselves and others safe on the road.