When we assume our driving
"duties," one of the most important is that
we be responsible for our actions and the results of those
actions. In almost every case, a driver involved in a collision
had an opportunity to avoid the collision—even when the
other driver was responsible for the errors that led to the
collision. Officers will tell you that a very common "excuse"
heard after a collision is, "I never saw him!" Why?
Quite often, it's because they were not paying
attention to their surroundings and situation - and many
times, that inattention was because the driver was distracted.
To be a safe and responsible driver, it's important to recognize
this and make constant efforts to avoid getting distracted.
Some of the most common driving distractions
are: eating, drinking, applying make-up, talking on cell phones,
adjusting the radio or changing CD's, dealing with rambunctious
or misbehaving kids, or even just talking to passengers. Some
drivers focus on single tasks (looking for an address, for
example) and neglect all others. One of the most important
skills for a driver is the ability to multi-task. Think about
how much distance your vehicle is covering during the time
you are distracted—at about 1.47 feet per second for
each mile-per-hour you are driving, you can easily see how
important it is to keep your mind and eyes on the road and
your hands on the wheel! At 60 miles per hour, for example,
every second that elapses you cover almost 90 feet (60 X 1.47
= 88.2)—all while you might be fumbling for the CD you
dropped!
You can help make the road much safer
for yourself, your passengers, and the others around you if
you make a habit of keeping the driving task as JOB ONE, and
let someone else do the map reading or change the radio station!
It's important to recognize your distractions—and make
conscious efforts to minimize or avoid them. Keep
it between the fence-posts!
<Rule
#17: Know Your Blind Spots!
Rule #19: Avoid
Backing Up!>
