Tuesday, April 25, 2006
A Crash Course On Distractions
byI saw someone weaving across the centerline on a two-way road this morning. It wasn’t long ago that I would have assumed I was behind a drunken driver. This was not the case, and as I passed the car it was clear—the driver was on a cell phone and attempting to write something at the same time. The distractions available to drivers today are numerous. A recent CBS News story highlights the problem.
The article cites a recent government-sponsored survey (pdf here) that demonstrates distracted or drowsy drivers caused 8 out of 10 accidents. It is apparent that multitasking and driving do not mix. Take your pick regarding what is diverting attention from the road:
- Cell phones
- Putting on makeup
- Combing/brushing hair
- Reaching for something
- Reading
- DVDs/CDs/MP3 players
- Working on a computer
- Conversation with another occupant
- Eating
- Kids
- Navigation systems
- Reading email on a Blackberry, Treo, etc.
- Smoking
- Daydreaming
DVD viewing is supposed to be against the law for front seat occupants, but I have passed cars at night and have seen DVDs playing that were easily viewable by the driver. This is all scary stuff.
A National Sleep Foundation survey, released last month, shows that only 20 percent of teens get the recommended amount of sleep. The study also says that 51 percent of teen drivers have driven drowsy in the past year. Teen drivers are already the highest risk drivers on the road. Adding sleepiness to the mix does not bode well for teens or others on the road.
Maybe all the information above is what prompted the controversial new “Sudden Impact” Volkswagen ads (more here). In light of the information above, it would seem the Volkswagen campaign is spot on, and consumers justifiably might pay even more attention to the safety of their vehicles in the future.
