Americans drive an average 13,476 miles per year. With the COVID-19 lockdown, those miles have been drastically been reduced. So, it is a bit ironic that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. But even with millions of fewer cars on American roadways, people struggle to put away their cellphone while they’re behind the wheel. This, despite the fact that most of us realize the hazards associated with the practice. In fact, 97% of teen drivers say they “agree” that texting while driving is dangerous, but 43% do it anyway.
To raise awareness about the consequences of texting and driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) devotes the month of April to Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The 2020 campaign slogan is: Just Drive. (We wish we could!)
How Drivers Become Distracted
“Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel” is as profound as it is elementary. Unfortunately, most Americans pride themselves on their ability to multi-task. And, sadly, that proclivity has made its way to the open roads. In fact, Reader’s Digest reports that police officers have ticketed drivers for attempting all of the following tasks while operating motor vehicles:
- Changing clothes, including diapers
- Playing the piano
- Knitting, crocheting and sewing
- Playing with kids and/or pets
- Eating (everything from hamburgers and yogurt to soup)
- Applying makeup
- Reading
- Putting their feet up
- Typing
- Drinking
- Smoking
- Talking on the phone
The NHTSA identifies three distinct types of driver distractions:
- Visual Tasks
These include checking a GPS monitor or map, which cause a driver to take his or her eyes off the road. - Manual Tasks
This category encompasses activities such as reaching for a cell phone or eating or drinking or cleaning glasses or anything else that results in the driver removing one or both hands from the steering wheel. - Cognitive Tasks
Anything that requires drivers to think about something other than driving would fit into this task.
Breaking It Down
Although most people think of cell phone use relative to distracted driving, digital devices are far from the only threat to on-the-road focus. A distraction includes anything that diverts the driver’s attention from the primary tasks of navigating the vehicle and responding to critical events.
Smartphones get most of the attention because their use requires all three types of tasks. What’s more, two basic components are used to qualify a distraction/safety problem:
- The attentional demands of the distracting task – the amount of resources (visual, cognitive, manual) required to perform the task.
- The frequency with which drivers choose to multitask – how often drivers engage in the task.
Combining these two concepts, even an easy task can pose greater risk if the person performs the task most of the time they are behind the wheel. 
So, please, be careful on the road. Keep your eye on the wheel. Even though traffic is light, people are speeding, which makes associated accidents more severe than your average fender-bender. But if, despite your best efforts, you’re involved in an automobile accident, please think of DG Collision Center. And for a limited time, we are offering a special $120 COVID-19 Detailing Package. Call today to set up an appointment to take advantage of this special.
About DG Collision Center in Covina, California
The “go-to” location for auto body repair and classic restoration in the San Gabriel Valley. People in the area already know that DG Collision Center pays attention to detail, provides courteous service, and works for fair and affordable prices. If you select DGCC to repair your car, our concierge service will help make your entire auto body repair process easy on you. We will even help you arrange for a rental car and deal directly with your insurance company. DGCC is owned and operated by Dan Hansen, aka “Dan Gogh.” Come by the shop 781 E San Bernardino Road in Covina, contact us via email today, call (626) 445-6630 or visit DGCollisionCenter.com.