Driving Distractions

Every driver and passenger in a car knows we are faced with distractions while in any vehicle. The passenger itself can be a distraction. No matter how much we try there will always be some type of distraction but if we are aware that they may be there we might be able to better deal with them. A good drivers education course can help you be even more aware of what distractions await you on the road.

Again, your passenger(s) may be a distraction. It’s best to let them know you need to concentrate on your driving and the drivers around you. My mother would threaten to turn around and go home when we were in the vehicle with her and made too much noise. I say be serious about it. If it’s too much for you to concentrate properly then perhaps the trip isn’t worth it.

Billboards: We’ve all seen them. Larger than life faces and catchy headlines distract us everywhere. Learn to ignore them or better yet pick up a magazine and look at it when you’re safely at home.

Pedestrians: I love to people watch as I’m sure most people do. Did you see that lady with dog? Look at what he is wearing in this heat. She shouldn’t be wearing that outfit out in public. Well first things first and the first consideration as a driver is safety. You need to notice pedestrians but don’t gawk. There are vehicles around you as well as other people.

Environmental Distractions: The sun, the rain, the snow are unavoidable but there are things to help. I wear sunglasses as many hours as the sun is out. I wore them long before my ophthalmologist recommended them. Keep a spare pair in the car just in case. You can also buy longer visors for your car to help with the glare. If you can’t see, make sure you slow down or pull over. As for the rain and snow, keep your wiper blades in good shape. Pick up a new pair and change them with the seasons. I use Rainex on my car and it just helps me tremendously in the bad weather. This isn’t an ad for it but it’s something I know I use.

Driving in school zones

If you didn’t know, you can be fined by not obeying traffic laws regarding school zones. It’s not difficult but it does take patience. Remember to stop when a school bus has its red flashing lights on and extended stop arm out. If you pass them, you can be reported (remember you do have a license plate that gives personal information about you when someone looks it up – you can’t avoid it) and get fined. An even worse scenario is you rush through a school zone and hit a child that is making his/her way to school. Be alert. Children that are walking to school or even riding bikes may not cross the street where they are supposed to. It is an unfortunate fact but one that motorists must realize. Many parents are only thinking of their child and getting them to school and fail to pay attention to other motorists or even other children. It’s not a race to see what child gets their first and then how fast you can get to work. Take your time. When a bus stops to let children off and the bus person takes a walk around checking under the bus for children we find it funny but in reality they are ensuring that children are safely away from the bus when it pulls out. Can you say the same for your children or their classmates? Gives yourself and give children (not only yours) time. Obey the laws and parents and teachers teach your children the proper way to cross the street and remind them of the dangers of playing close to the street. A ball can easily get missed being caught and a child will immediately dart into the street to get it without realizing the dangers.

RULES OF THE ROAD

Where to begin. It seems there are so many but in reality there are not.

Turn Signals – those little gadgets by (and sometimes on) the steering wheel are meant to be used. The power won’t any faster or slower if you or don’t use them but when used properly they may save your life and the life of someone else. Remember you use the turn signals when intending to turn, changing lanes and even leaving a parking space (imagine that).

Passing Safety – remember we pass on the right! (don’t forget that turn signal) and only where designated in the road and that’s with the “dotted line” along a two way road.

Slow Moving Vehicles – Don’t just think it’s an “older” person driving it may be someone that is looking for a specific road or address. I know personally it’s a pain but be courteous. Stay in the right lane or to the right of the road (UNLESS YOU’RE TURNING LEFT) so that people may pass you and for the people behind you follow the next rule.

Allowing some space (i.e. The Two Second Rule) – pick something along the road (i.e. a tree) as the vehicle ahead of you passes it count aloud, slowly, “one thousand one, one thousand two” if you ready the “tree” before you finish, you are too close, slow down. Course in rain and snow you want to be further away. This rule allows for space for sudden stops etc.

The Right of Way – okay this one is more detailed but here’s the gist. First no matter what, it is far better to give the right of way (and let’s forget road rage) than to get into an accident.

• If you are approaching an intersection you must give up the right way to the traffic already in the intersection.
• If you are approaching an intersection from another direction as another car and have reached it at approximately as the other person, the person turning left must give the right of way to oncoming traffic going either straight or turning right.
• If you are entering a road from a driveway (alley etc) you must stop and give the right of way to the traffic on the road (and this includes pedestrians).
• Do not enter an intersection if traffic is backed up on the other side and you can’t get all the way through.
• Do not block the intersection. (I can name times each day this happens to me – it’s very frustrating I’m sure to you as well).

There are more than these rules and they are covered in your basic driver education course (so remember to study).

Traffic Control Signs and Signals – this one may seem simple. Green is go, yellow is and Red means STOP! The only exceptions to these rules are if a police officer is directing traffic and lets you go (remember to pay attention to him/her) and emergency vehicles may go through red lights but must use caution. Remember to yield the right of way which means you must IMMEDIATELY pull to the right edge of the road to clear the intersection and you must stop and remain stopped until the vehicle(s) have passed by unless of course a police officer tells you differently.

Pedestrian Safety – You must yield to pedestrians using marked or unmarked crosswalks so pay attention this also goes back to school zone safety.