subject: Baltimore MD Honda- What Causes Driver Distractions? [print this page] Baltimore MD Honda- What Causes Driver Distractions?
It is all to easy to blame cell phones and other devices for driver distractions today. It is certainly true that talking and texting on a cell phone while driving is dangerous, so much so that many state have made it against the law. It is also unfair to presume that if cell phones were banned from cars that drivers would have no other distractions diverting their attention from the task at hand. Baltimore MD Honda takes a look at the three major types of distractions described by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Manual distractions- This is a task that physically takes a drivers attention away from the wheel. It may include changing the radio, eating, drinking, dialing a telephone number or texting. Maryland Honda reminds drivers that any task which takes one hand off the wheel would be considered a manual distraction according to the NHTSA.
Visual distractions- Reading road signs, a text message or even a map can be considered visual distractions. Whenever you take your eyes off the road, you are are being distracted. Unfortunately the very nature of driving requires the operator of the vehicle to look in all directions to ensure they are aware of their surroundings. This includes what is going on not just in front of you, but on each side and behind you as well.
Cognitive distractions- When you have both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road in front of you, you may still be a distracted driver. This happens when your mind is not on the task at hand. If you are thinking about what to make for dinner or mentally going over notes for a meeting, you are not fully focused on driving and as such experiencing a cognitive distraction.
Your Honda dealer in Maryland encourages all drivers to recognize the signs of being distracted and make any effort to reduce all types of distractions to improve safety and reduce accidents.
