The Hidden Underbelly of Distracted Driving

The Hidden Underbelly of Distracted Driving

When I was very young, my toddler aged sister, who’s now old enough to drive herself, started having a massive fit while on the freeway. My mom began trying to comfort her, making the fussy baby a bottle, when, in all the confusion, she slipped and dropped the bottle, causing it to get lodged under the brake pedal! All the wailing children and swerving car as she tried desperately to pull it out must’ve been a sight for concern. We were pulled over not long after the mess was cleared up and after a lengthy conversation that I wish I could remember; we could go home. I even found the story in a magazine at the Doctor’s office months later, much to my mother’s embarrassment when I tried to show the nurse. It was such a classic silly tale of an overworked single mother that it never occurred to me the seriousness of the situation until years down the line.

Despite what the few driving PSAs shown to me in school had to say, Distracted Driving is not all about texting. While texting is a large component, it also covers other habits I see people indulge in while shaming those who text. Things like eating, putting on makeup, even spending long periods of time changing the music can all be distracting behavior. Research by Elish Duke have shown that a distraction shorter than 3 seconds can disrupt the flow of concentration for several minutes after, so even quickly swiping some fries from the bag can impair driving for quite some time after. Education on these forms of distracted driving not very often touched upon can potentially save the thousands of lives taken every year. There are luckily simple solutions to the most pervasive of distractions: Mobile devices. Over 21% of accidents are related to cell phone usage, so it is no surprise it has such a big focus in discussions. For those who can, having the device entirely turned off and hidden in a drawer is the optimal way to avoid distractions at the wheel. However, many are unable to do so, due to obligations with family or work. Implementing a hands-free way to stay in contact, while not the perfect solution, may be the best in this scenario. Many cars even come equipped with Bluetooth, so important calls and messages can be sent straight to the car to ensure dependents are safe.

While I took my Driver’s Permit test my sophomore year, Distracted Driving did not appear on my radar until I was a senior. A travelling group of basketball players dunked for 20 minutes and made us chant “Don’t Text and Drive” so many times I swear I was saying it in my sleep. There was no information on what other activities were designated as distracted driving, or its serious consequences: Just an upbeat gang of young adults I was too busy studying for the chemistry exam the next period to deeply care about. It was far too little far too late, as most of the kids watching had already been driving for years at that point.