NTSI.com Defensive Driving School

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(No Transcript)
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What Is Distracted Driving?

• Distracted driving is any activity done while
  behind the wheel that takes attention away from
  the actual act of driving. Unfocused driving not
  only endangers those operating the car, but can
  also cause serious or fatal harm to passengers
  and bystanders.
• According to Distraction.gov, of all drivers
  under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes, 10
  percent were reported as distracted at the time
  of the crash. This age group also has the largest
  proportion of drivers who were distracted1
  something we must all work to fix using these
  tips for common road distractions.

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Text Messaging
Possibly the biggest threat to car safety is
texting while driving. Not only does it require
visual attention, but also impacts manual and
cognitive skills. A study done by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that
at any given daylight moment across America,
approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell
phones or manipulating electronic devices while
driving, a number that has held steady since
2010.2 Dont let you or your child be another
number keep cell phones stashed while behind
the wheel.
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Eating and Drinking
It may seem harmless to sip soda or unwrap a
sandwich while driving, but this is yet another
behavior that can be dangerous. For example, even
a simple bottle of water can wreak havoc when
spilled in the car. Time spent securing or trying
to open beverage containers while driving causes
an individual to take his or her eyes off the
road for even a split second.
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Grooming
Weve all seem them, applying skin care products
or even using toothbrushes while on the freeway
dont let your teen be that driver! A quick
application of makeup, for example, takes at
least five seconds to complete, which is enough
time to cover the length of a football field
blindfolded when traveling at 55mph.3 Advise kids
to wait until the car is parked for any grooming
needs. Even personal care while stopped at a red
light can be dangerous and will surely annoy
the other drivers around when you dont see the
light change.
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Noisy chatter or horseplay in the car can rattle
any driver. Focusing on the road may be difficult
enough for a new driver without the need to
multitask and keep up with passenger or cell
phone conversations. Parents should consider
limiting the number of people in a new drivers
car in order to prevent unnecessary distractions.
Loud Conversations
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Watching a Video
To be frank there is absolutely no reason to
focus on a video while operating a car. Most
drivers know better than to pull up a humorous
YouTube clip while driving, but ensure that your
kids also understand other animated distractions
on the road, like in-car DVD systems or
three-dimensional billboards. It can be hard to
look away from bright visuals designed to capture
our attention, but keep focused on the task at
hand.
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Adjusting the Radio or Music System
Similar to operating a smartphone while driving,
controlling dashboard features like a radio or
mp3 player can be distracting. Advise new drivers
to take advantage of programmable buttons, like
radio presets or steering wheel controls if you
have them, so they can minimize time spent
searching for music. Its also helpful to lower
the volume soon after putting the car in drive.
This way, talk radio or loud commercials will be
less in-your-face.
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Using a Navigation System
Always know your destination before starting the
car. With a location in mind, theres less
stumbling with smartphones or accidentally
engaging GPS errors en route. Have directions up
and ready to go when you get in, using
voice-guided navigation software where possible
so eyes can stay on the road, not map screens.
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With an innovative approach that stresses
personal accountability, NTSI is a nationally
recognized leader in traffic safety education.
NTSI believes that drivers must make personal
choices to create positive changes in driving
behavior. For more information about traffic
safety and online driving school, call (866)
346-3283 or visit http//ntsi.com/.
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Sources

1. http//www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/f
   acts-and-statistics.html
2. http//www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811719.pdf
3. http//www.distraction.gov/research/PDF-Files/Driv
   er-Distraction-Commercial-Vehicle-Operations.pdf