Distractions and Driving

With the recent ban on texting while driving for federal employees, and the feds calling for a ban for truck drivers not so far off. Parts if not all of Canada already implemented the law.

The US will most likely follow suite, as the feds act like they are playing a school kids game of follow the leader with regulations. There are other thing’s that cause distractions for drivers as well.

Some thing’s that you really didn’t realize are common thing’s, done on a daily basis. I have seen some pretty idiotic thing’s while out on the road driving.

You know I really hate how the industry has the “Just -n- Time” freight. If  we could somehow get that changed, and had these company’s start building warehouses, then there wouldn’t be such a rush on thing’s. This would allow for drivers to also be able to park farther out from a destination, thus more than likely take care of part of the parking problems.

Don’t eat and Drive – this is considered illegal in a lot of states, if not all of them. But, with “just -n- time” freight delivery’s, when is a driver suppose and stop and eat? Also, if you carry your food on the truck with you that probably is worse, if you really don’t have time to stop. This means you are going to be rolling down the road trying to eat your beanie weenies or fix a sandwhich.

On May 23, 2008 a 51-year-old CMV driver crashed into the back of a stopped school bus, which was letting children out, on Highway 50 in western Kenosha County, WI. The CMV driver was distracted by drinking a soda and did not see the school bus which was stopped with its lights flashing and its stop-arm extended. After the crash, 14 children had to be taken to area hospitals, 4 of them with serious injuries. The large-truck driver was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Do NOT fixate on Non- driving related objects: As you drive along keep your mind on top of driving related objects. Don’t fixate on reading every mile marker, or billboard, or road signs. This will take your mind off of driving maybe causing you to have a distracted moment accident.

80% of all crashes have something to do with driver not paying attention to driving related objects on the road. It only takes a split second to look away from the road and look back and the vehicle, in front has stopped.

This is one you probably never would have guessed to make the list. With around 22% of the population in America smoking, this was a shocker to me.

Don’t smoke while you drive: Smoking and driving is considered a distraction because you have to remove your hand from the steering wheel. Then you must light your cigarette, and hold it for an extended period.

In 2007 a study was done and found that out of  0.9 % of distraction-related crashes, which equates to approximately 12,780 crashes over the 5-year period examined. That is almost unbelievable, so I guess smoking can kill you a couple of different ways.

There are many more distractions we could discuss here, but that would take forever. If you set your mind to it, you can get over the bad habits, and become distraction free. Be safe!

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