RoadSmart Report | February, 2003

Are you being driven to distraction?

Driver distraction is the second leading contributing factor in fatal crashes, according to SGI's most recent statistics. 

On the surface, doing two things at once isn't such a big deal. We do it all the time - walking and talking, jogging and listening to music, or singing and dancing.  However, driving requires you to do more than two things at once - steering, braking, shifting gears and watching for traffic all occur at the same time.  "When you add distractions like talking on cellular phones, eating or grooming, the results can be disastrous," warns Kwei Quaye, SGI's Manager of Traffic Safety Program Evaluation. 

In 2001 in Saskatchewan, there were 6,696 collisions where driver inattention or distraction was listed as a contributing factor. These collisions resulted in 46 fatalities and 2,633 injuries. 

With the growth of the cell phone industry, talking on the phone while driving has become a safety concern. While having a cell phone in your car during the winter is an excellent idea for emergency use, talking on the phone while driving is not recommended. If you need to make or take a call, you should pull over. 

Cell phones are not the only source of driver distraction. The common practice of "dashboard dining," or eating in your car, can easily take your attention away from the road. 

“ Could anyone remain completely focused on driving if they had hot coffee or a cold drink spill on to their lap?" asks Quaye. "There is really no safe way to eat and drink while driving, just as there is no safe way to apply make-up or shave in the car. The safest bet is to pull over and take care of these things before heading back on the road." Quaye points out another very common distraction that drivers may not even be aware of  - passengers. This is especially true if your passengers are young children or pets. When travelling with children or pets, here are some safety tips to keep in mind: 

• Don't ever drive with a child or animal seated in your lap or roaming freely.
• Always ensure that your children are properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat, and always in the back seat.
• Gate or cage your pet in the rear of the vehicle.
• If you're travelling with another adult, put them in charge of any disputes or requests so that you can focus all your attention on the road.

"Driving isn't easy," says Quaye. "It requires your complete attention. Keeping your focus on the road means a safe trip for you and your family."

Contact: Kwei Quaye
Manager, Traffic Safety Program Evaluation
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6182