What are some common distractions for drivers?
Anything that takes your attention off the road while driving can be considered a distraction. Some of the more common distractions are the use of mobile phones, drinking and eating, smoking, passengers, music, global positioning systems (GPS), applying make-up and advertising.
What are the laws regarding mobile phone use when driving? According to the Road Traffic Code it is an offence to operate a hand held mobile phone whilst operating a motor vehicle. The penalty for breaking the law in this regard is a $250 fine and the accrual of three demerit points.
Why is it dangerous to use a mobile phone when driving?
Using a mobile phone while driving can affect your ability to gauge distances, keep lane discipline and keep to an appropriate speed. A driver is four times more likely to be involved in an accident if they use a mobile phone while driving. The two most common types of accidents that occur are rear end collisions and loss of control/running off the road.
It is important to note that studies have shown that using a hands free mobile is no safer than using a handheld mobile.
Should I be concerned about having passengers in my car? Passengers can increase the risk of being involved in a crash, particularly for younger drivers as peer pressure tends to be more influential during these years. According to a Monash University study, having one passenger increases the risk of being involved in a serious accident by 60%. Having two passengers increases the risk by more than double.
Another interesting finding from the research was that P platers are more at risk of having an accident when carrying male peer passengers.
Is it okay to eat and drink when you’re driving? Although eating and drinking while driving is not considered to be unacceptable by law it can distract the driver. Being distracted means the driver’s full attention is not on the road environment and this can result in an increased crash risk.
Are you allowed to hang items inside your car?
It is against the law to hang items from your rear view mirror. It is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure they have an unobstructed view of the road.
What can I do to reduce distractions while driving? Set ground rules for the car such as no food and drinks. Refuse to carry passengers that don’t respect your requests. Turn off your mobile phone. Pull over if you want to change CDs or if you need to look at a road map for directions.