A World Of Driving Distractions

Driving distractions are all around us. They are often beyond our control and difficult to avoid. But if we know all about them in advance -- and make a concerted effort to dodge them -- we can all feel much safer on the road.

In this article, we'll discuss the driving distractions that plague our world outside our car doors.

If this headline were plastered on a billboard, there would be an accident.

Advertising keeps our economy moving. But it can also be a catalyst for unsafe driving. The billboard on top of the building, the real estate ad on the park bench and the flyers posted on traffic posts all crave our attention. If you love to look at advertising, get a magazine or wait until you're stopped at a light to look at what's out there. There is no point compromising driver safety just to look at a catchy headline or an interesting image. Taking your eyes of the road, even for a minute, can lead to fender bender or something more serious. Next time you're behind the wheel -- whether you're a seasoned driver or whether you're taking a driver's education course -- make an effort not to look at the billboards.

People: A Driver's Enemy?

It's only natural to be drawn to people. Your eyes naturally focus on what's interesting or appealing to you. The lady on the corner might be sporting a funny hat. The attractive gentlemen with the neatly pressed suit might catch your eye. Or the woman jogging might make you look twice. As any driver education program will tell you, pedestrian safety is equally as important as driver safety.

So how do you avoid looking at people on the street or other drivers in other cars? To be honest, we don't have any valuable advice. It's ok to look. In fact you should pay attention to everything around you. Just remember, it's not polite to stare.

Unavoidable Distractions

Some driving distractions are simply unavoidable. The sun, for example, can be distracting to drivers. Driving towards a sunrise or sunset can make it more difficult for you to see and stay safe on the road. While this distraction is unavoidable, a pair of sunglasses can make the distraction more bearable. Consider keeping a pair of sunglasses inside your car at all times. It's a valuable tip that you might not learn in a driver's education course so be sure to remember it.

Technology Hurts

Technology can be distracting for drivers. Aside from video billboards and flashing lights, technology inside the vehicle ahead of you can be distracting for seasoned drivers and new drivers taking a driver's education course. Minivans, for example, now feature dropdown video screens with DVD players to keep children entertained. While this doesn't cause much of a distraction for the driver of the minivan, this can cause some serious issues for the vehicle behind the minivan. At night, there is nothing more distracting then seeing a floating video screen in the car ahead of you. If you're behind the minivan, it may be in your best interest to pass the vehicle when it is safe to do so.

Next time you find yourself looking at a billboard, checking out a pedestrian, or squinting to avoid the sun, remember that driver safety is your number one priority. So do whatever it takes to avoid these distractions and stay safe behind the wheel.