Road Safety: A Focus on In-vehicle Distraction

Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely.
Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.

There are three main types of distraction:

Visual — taking your eyes off the road

Manual — taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 45km/h, that’s like driving ½ the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. It’s extraordinarily dangerous.

All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. Driving requires your full attention. Avoid distractions, such as adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking or texting on the phone.