Common Activities That May Be More Dangerous Than Texting While Driving

By Dorthy Weatherbush

Texting while driving is one combination that had taken its toll on the motorways. Although, if we come to think about all the distractions that come up as we take the wheel, texting may be the least of our worries.

First consider the mate to texting, cell phone use. For years, this was atop the distractions list. Many states and cities now require one to use a non-hand held phone unit. This can involve a headset, speakerphone or other device that frees both hands. Still, just the act of talking with someone on the phone is a distraction. You've probably seen people driving either too fast or too slow, failing to stop at a stop sign, or ignoring highway signage, all the while talking with a phone in their ear. Well, even without the phone, look for similar actions if they are "on the phone!"

There is also the distraction of having a deep conversation with someone while driving, a lot of times this can get your mind off the road.

Cranking the air conditioning, and thermostat controls forces a driver to reach for the knobs and usually when they are removed from the driver's position, the driver is forced to lean down loosing track of the road. There are also additional distractions, such as fidgeting with the radio and CD.

Ensuring we are on the correct path by looking at a roadmap and using our in-car navigation system is distraction at best.

Next, consider the family, especially with very young children and babies. It doesn't take much for an unruly child (especially if they are bothering a sibling) or an incessantly crying baby to cause a driving parent to turn around to see what is going on. And if the child is trying to get out of his/her seatbelt or throwing things, the increased anxiety easily redirects the driver's attention to actions inside the car, not those outside.

Distractions can sometimes be linked with what we, drivers, should be doing in the first place. Often times we get side tracked with a lot of goings on the road, like an aggressive drivers snaking its way on the freeway. Our minds are suddenly shifted and glued to that driver when it should be on the road, other vehicles and the highway signage.

An accident, disabled car on the shoulder or even the presence of the infamous flashing lights atop a police cruiser are also distracting. "Rubbernecking," the craning of our neck to see just what the accident is all about as we drive slowly by, causes us to impact traffic flow and sometimes bump into another car that was also driving too slowly. Don't you just love to look at the hapless driver getting a ticket and say to yourself, "whew, at least it wasn't me."

On holidays such as July 4, one might catch the "rocket's glare" as fireworks light up the sky. Viewing and waving to a political rally or a protest along the side of the road, looking out for real estate open house add, and garage sale hunting add to the list of distractions.

On July 4th, one might catch the "rocket's red glare" as fireworks explode in the nearby skies. Viewing and waving to a political or other protest along the side of roadway, checking out that garage sale, and looking for the real estate open house add to the distractions list.

The way things are going, it shouldn't be long before it is illegal for any or all of the aforementioned distractions to warrant a driving violation. And this unto itself may further distract us from our main driving mission - keeping both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road and one brain focused on the landscape. - 21392

About the Author:

Dorthy Weatherbush tries to be a safe driver all the time. She also tries to protect her vehicle. That's why she buys car parts and accessories from Weather Tech. She can shop WeatherTech.com for all the car parts and accessories she needs.