About This Workshop

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​Distractions are significant contributors to road collisions and can take many forms, including texting, eating or adjusting the radio. This workshop will help you understand these distractions as they can interfere with safe driving. It will help you recognise potential distractions and give you ways to minimise them. Us the driver can significantly reduce the risk of collisions by staying focused on the road to ensure everyone is safe.

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What is Distracted Driving

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Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver's attention from the task of safe driving, so significantly increasing the risk of crashes and injuries. This includes using phones, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, fiddling with devices, or even looking at roadside distractions. Examples of Distracted Driving: -

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• Talking to Passengers - While not always a hazard, engaging in lengthy or distracting conversations can reduce focus.

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• Using Mobile Phones - Texting, talking, scrolling, or using navigation apps while driving are major distractions.

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• Adjusting Devices - Fiddling with the stereo, navigation system, or other in-car devices can cause temporary lapses in attention.

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• Looking at Roadside Distractions - Paying attention to billboards, accidents, or other roadside objects can divert attention from the road.

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• Daydreaming - Even without other activities, zoning out while driving can lead to missed hazards.

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• Eating and Drinking - These activities require attention away from the road and can affect reaction time. 

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What are Consequences of Distracted Driving

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Generally nothing happens when we get distracted so we fall into the trap of "driver conditioning" which means we will probable do it again as there were no consequences. Examples of the consequences: -

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• Increased Risk of Collisions - Distracted drivers are more likely to miss hazards, react slowly and cause collisions.

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• Injuries and Fatalities - Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic crashes and injuries, including fatalities.

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• Legal Consequences - being prosecuted through the criminal or civil courts leading to penalties if convicted including fines, points on licenses, disqualification.

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• Other Consequences - financial loss as being disqualified leads to job loss, reduced job prospects and the biggest one having to live with your actions especially if you take someone's life. 

 

 How to Stay Safe

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• Put away phones: Ensure phones are out of reach and not being used while driving.

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• Avoid eating and drinking by planning meals and drinks before or after driving.

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• Limit talking to passengers by keeping conversations brief and avoid distracting topics.

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• Keep attention on the road by focusing on driving and avoid looking at roadside objects or engaging in other non-driving activities.