Driving Distraction Essay

There are many distractions a driver may face while out on the road. According to CDC’s “Distracted Driving,” there are three main driving distractions: Visual, manual, and cognitive. “A visual distraction is when the driver takes their eyes off the road. A manual distraction is when the driver takes their hands off the steering wheel. And lastly, a cognitive distraction is when the driver takes their mind off of driving.” Some distracted driving activities that tie in with the three main distractions include: eating and drinking, daydreaming, and getting distracted by other occupants inside the vehicle. In America, people often live such a fast paced live. Long working days often lead into buying fast food. A few years of driving, and drivers
think they can manage one hand on the wheel and the other hand on their food. The issue rises when they are alone, trying to put their straw in our drink, or when they can’t seem to find the cup holder.
That moment when the driver’s eyes and focus is solemnly on their food, instead of up ahead on the road, can become a deadly moment. Another deadly distraction along the lines is, detaching from reality. I am sure that I am not the only one who has thought to themselves, “How did I get home?” People are often driving with no focus at all to their surroundings. People put their foot on the petal and their hands on the steering wheel, but there is no mind on the road. Many people get caught up in thoughts from work, home, school; their plans for the next day. And they don’t stop and think if they will even get to see their next day. Out of the three distracted driving activities mentioned, I believe occupants in people’s vehicles take the majority of their attention. Passengers often forget the responsibility their destined drivers have to get everyone home safe. The amount of times I hear my sister shout out, “Oh my gosh, look!” While I’m driving is endless. Most drivers can’t find a correct response such as, “Not right now, I’m driving.” Because our curious minds beg us to turn and look. Like mentioned, people take most of our attention, specially when
driving. The reason being because we get bored and would much rather talk to them. We want to get to those places our friends are at, and quickly. That is all why our biggest distraction comes from a powerful little device. Or maybe not so little, they seem to be increasing in size, as time passes.
But that device has the power to choose our destiny, that is if we let them. So many drivers give their mobile devices the power to potentially put an end to their lives, when they engage in texting and driving. People’s cell phones are the deadliest distraction out on the roads. Every action has it consequence, and if drivers choose to text and drive, they increase their possibilities of car accidents leading up to death. That precious second when drivers look down to their phones, can be their very last second on earth. The state of Virginia already has legislation in place on texting while driving. It has banned all, every single driver no matter of age, from engaging themselves in texting and driving. Yet, according to a “Distracted Driving Survey,” it is estimated that a roughly “60% of the respondents, reported having cell phone reading and writing activities” behind the wheel. Virginia’s efforts to regulate texting and driving should be more effective by increasing education on the consequences of texting while driving. Some of those consequences include traffic accidents, insurance costs, as well as injuries and
death.
When people are driving, there are possibilities that they may face some inventible emergencies. Health emergencies such as seizures, panic attacks, and heart attacks. While these may all be out of people’s control, “inattentional blindness” can happen only if they let it happen. Acta Psychologica states that, “We sometimes fail to notice unexpected objects or events when our attention is directed elsewhere, a phenomenon called inattentional blindness.” (Feb2017, Vol. 173, p101-105. 5p) That is what happens to drivers when they are texting behind the wheel. Texting and driving can be compared to intentionally driving with a blindfold on. It is all in the choices people make. Inattentional blindness as a cause to texting and driving can lead up to many traffic collisions. In fact, it is the cause of 1 in 3 car accidents.
Getting in a car accident is no fun. Just thinking of all the paperwork due to an automobile crash is dreadful. One of the consequences there is to texting and driving is car accidents. We lose attention to the road to text someone back. I believe the worst time to text is during traffic. Though people think this is the best moment to pull out their cell phones. Cars are