Distractions

Crashes as a result of driver distraction can lead to deaths, as well as serious life-threatening injuries.

There are three types of distractions:

• Physical – taking your hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road.
• Cognitive – taking your mind off driving by thinking of more than one thing at once.
• Emotional – engaging with other people or tasks on an emotional level resulting in physically narrowing peripheral vision and disrupting vehicle control.

Using a Mobile/smartphone whilst driving is one of the highest causes (inside the vehicle) of driver distraction crashes

In the Auckland region between 2013-2017 there were 236 serious injuries to drivers who had their attention diverted, as well as 23 deaths.

Using your mobile phone while driving impairs your driving performance in several ways:

• Slower reaction time especially when braking.
• Reduced peripheral vision.
• Impaired ability to stay in the correct lane.
• Shorter following distances.

Don’t be tempted to use a hand held mobile phone in the car. In addition to the risks to yourself and others, it is against the law and you risk and $80 penalty fine and 20 demerit points.

Using a mobile phone while driving makes drivers take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel and their minds off the road. A driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash when texting on a mobile phone and driving. ( Source NZTA)