Chapter 8Managing Distractions

ARE YOU DISTRACTED??? Reaching for items on dash

Tuning the radio Eating or drinking

Talking on cell Texting

Driver Inattention

Driver’s awareness and focus drift to anything else other than the driving

task Can be unintentional

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Person, event, activity, or object Not necessary for the

driving task

What are some examples??

DISTRACTION CLASSIFICATIONS

Cognitive- Mind lost in thought or in a daydream (talking on cell is also

included) Visual- Anything that causes you to take

your eyes off the road Auditory- Caused by sounds

Biomechanical- not related to the driving task at hand. Includes pushing a button, turning a dial, picking up objects

DISTRACTIONS INSIDE THE VEHICLE

Cellphones Vehicle equipment and controls

Animals and insects Food and drink

Passengers Loose objects (projectiles)

DISTRACTIONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE

Animals, Birds, reptiles, and other creatures Debris

Signs/Billboards Parked/Disabled vehicles/Accidents

SCENES AND EVENTSCrash and fire scenes can often cause

Gawking Rubbernecking

THESE TEND TO CAUSE…