Ken's Korner

Distracted driving is a term that I have been hearing quite a bit about lately. Mostly they are talking about cell phone use. But there are a few other things that are also considered distracted driving. Like putting on make-up, reading a map, shaving, eating, tuning your radio, lighting a cigarette, electronic navigation systems, or anything else that takes your mind (and eyes) off the road. Even talking to a passenger can be considered distracted driving.

Since this is a new way to categorize accidents, there aren’t many statistics yet. But they are working on it and I expect there will be some numbers soon. According to an A.P. article written by Jim Suhr, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety says distracted drivers cause at least 4,000 accidents per day, and possibly as many as 8,000 per day! CarAccident.com says that 26% of all traffic fatalities are caused by distracted drivers and that traffic fatalities caused by cell phone users has gone up 800% since 1993! Of course, there weren’t many cell phones back in those days.

Some people can talk on the phone and drive safely at the same time. Some can’t. Especially if the conversation is heated or very complicated, or if the road or traffic conditions are less than perfect. Whenever I talk on my cell phone, I try to do it in an area where the road is straight and traffic is not too heavy. But sometimes someone will call me when I am trying to back into a dock and I am in the middle of a busy street, or trying to maneuver through a very difficult area. In that case, I usually won't answer. It’s a good thing I have caller ID. With the number already saved on my phone, I can simply call them back later when it's more convenient for me.

There are so many people and organizations campaigning against distracted drivers, that it won't be long until there are new laws on the books. ABC and CNN are even jumping on the bandwagon against distracted drivers. Many states are considering legislation against using cell phones while driving. Some states don't want to write a law specific to cell phone use because there are many other things that can distract a driver, and they want to keep the door open for law enforcement officers. That way, they can write a ticket to a person who is zig-zagging for any reason. If a bee gets in your vehicle and starts buzzing around your ear, that would distract almost anybody. If they start writing laws on distracted driving, you could possibly even get a ticket for that. And by the way, I read somewhere a long time ago that the number one cause for single vehicle accidents (like car vs. pole or car vs. building, etc.) is a bee in the car.

History shows that distracted driving started happening long ago. General Motor's website says that in 1913, when mechanical wipers became standard equipment on American cars, many people criticized them, predicting that their rhythmic motion would distract drivers and lull them into an almost trance-like state. In 1930, two states unsuccessfully attempted to ban radios in cars, saying they distracted drivers and disturbed the peace (today that could be true). Back in 1954, when entrepreneur Ray Kroc bought McDonalds, he had the big idea that people would like to buy fast food at a drive through window. And, obviously, he was right. Since then, more and more people have been eating while they drive.

They say that we only use a small percentage of our brain most of the time. When you are on the phone, eating, or looking for a radio station, you are using a piece of your brain that should be directed toward the road. When you are driving (especially in a big city), you can’t afford to take your mind off of the road. Distractions around you might include crazy drivers, traffic lights, road rage, sudden stops, tailgaters, lane dodgers, billboards, a pretty girl in the car next to you, not to mention complications that can be caused by weather and nighttime limits on visibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 42% of all accidents and 58% of fatal accidents occur at night or during other degraded visibility conditions. These 2.8 million annual police-reported accidents, including 23,000 fatal crashes, represent accidents in which visibility may be a contributing factor. So please, especially at night, pay attention to the road and not that hamburger.

Instead of holding a cell phone to your ear, try getting a hands-free model or feature. If you must eat while you drive, get something that you can hold in one hand, that doesn’t make a mess. Set your food up next to you before you take off and make sure you use a cup holder for your drink. Know where all of your buttons are on your radio, so that you don’t have to look at it when you are searching for a new channel. Never read while driving! If you don’t know where you’re going, please stop and look at the map. One minute stopped is better than ten minutes of driving around trying to find something (or getting into a wreck). I’ve even heard of some drivers "relieving themselves" while driving. If you really have to go, please stop for one minute. One minute isn’t going to kill you, but trying to save one might.

With all these distractions, it doesn’t make sense to add to it by eating or talking on the phone. But many people do. As for me, I get distracted by drivers who are distracted! When I see a car zig-zagging, I pull up next to them and look at what they're doing - many times they are on the phone or trying to read a newspaper. I’ve done it myself too (slowed down or swerved unintentionally while talking on the phone). That’s how I know that it isn’t easy to do five things at once. Driving a truck is difficult enough. And this is coming from a guy who can pat his head and rub his stomach in a circular motion at the same time. Please be careful out there and visit bigcitydriver.com for more.