AVOID DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING

Transcription

1 AVOID DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING This information program was produced by the Canada Safety Council (CSC) with assistance from State Farm. To support safe teen driving in our communities the Canada Safety Council has partnered with State Farm and Celebrate My Drive to bring you this program. The program is designed to highlight a major cause of traffic crashes driver inattention or distraction. New drivers, will be exposed to many distractions inside and outside their vehicles. Driving requires their full attention, hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Safety should be their first priority. Review the program with your students, have them try the quiz and enter their name to win a CASH prize.

2 Avoid Distractions While Driving Information Program

3 WHAT ARE DRIVER DISTRACTIONS? Texting or talking on your cell phone Eating or drinking Passengers Selecting music Using GPS Reaching for items Putting on makeup or brushing/combing your hair Staring at collisions, pedestrians or events THE FIRST STEP OF BECOMING A SAFE DRIVER IS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DRIVER DISTRACTIONS ARE AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM. BY DOING SO, YOU ARE ENSURING YOUR OWN SAFETY, AND THAT OF YOUR PASSENGERS AND OTHER ROAD USERS.

4 TEXTING WHILE DRIVING Turn your cell phone off before you start your car so you re not tempted to make a call or text while driving. Restriction of the use of electronic devices while driving reduces the risk of collisions and saves lives. Teens use their phones to text and talk, and a growing body of research suggests texting may be more common than talking on a handheld phone for most young drivers. Physically using a cell phone dialing, answering, holding the phone is not the only distraction. The nature of the conversation also matters. Intense, complex and emotional conversations take the driver s mind off the road. If you need to use your cell phone in an emergency, pull over when it is safe to do so. Keep the call short and be remain aware of your surroundings. Studies show that texting while driving increases the risk of being involved in a crash by 23 times, while talking on a cell phone makes it four times more likely. Dialing and texting carry the highest degree of risk of all cell phone-related activities. The following video is graphic, but does highlight the dangers of texting while driving.

5 FYI Texting or talking on your cell phone while driving is illegal in all provinces and territories, except Nunavut. If you are caught on your cell phone, you can be fined up to $400 and lose up to six demerit points depending on the province. For new drivers, that might mean you ll lose your driving privileges. If you endanger others by using a hand-held or hands-free device, you can be charged with careless driving AND a fine of $2,000 AND receive up to 6 months in jail AND licence suspension for up to two years. Restriction of the use of electronic devices while driving helps reduce the risk of collisions and saves lives.

6 HANDS-FREE Hands-free doesn t mean risk-free. Handsfree units may appear safer, but don t reduce your need to think about the conversation you are having, which is a cognitive distraction. If you use a hand-free device, keep conversation short and avoid stressful or emotional conversations. Stress can affect your driving performance. Trying to find various components of your hands-free phone, putting on a headset or changing phone settings while driving can take your attention away from the driving task, and increases your chances of being in a crash. If you use a hands-free cell phone, it is still better to pull over to take or place a call.

7 PASSENGERS It s important to remember that driving requires your full attention. Passenger distractions can jeopardize your safety, their safety and the safety of other road users. When you have passengers in your car, ask them to keep conversation light and to a minimum. Tell them that you will have time to chat once you arrive at your destination. If they need to tell you something important, pull over so you can give them your full attention. As a driver, it s your responsibility to get your passengers to their destination safely. As a passenger, it s your responsibility to not distract the driver.

8 EATING OR DRINKING Avoid eating or drinking while driving. If you need to eat or drink, pull over. By stopping, you will give yourself a break from traffic to enjoy your refreshments. Don t forget, that split second you take to sip your drink is long enough to miss a car pulling out from a driveway, or side road or a traffic light change. It's not a lot of time, but it is enough to change the rest of your life, and the lives of the people around you.

9 CHANGING RADIO STATION, SEARCHING FOR YOUR FAVORITE CD OR SONG It s important to know that at a speed of 50 kilometres per hour, you will travel 14 metres in one second. Remember to set your radio station, CD, or song list before you leave home, or wait until you have come to a complete stop before changing it. As a new driver, focus on your driving at all times. A split-second distraction behind the wheel can result in injury or even death. Studies show that 70 per cent of distractions are inside the vehicle. Electronics devices such as GPS or MP3 players are being used more by young drivers.

10 PERSONAL GROOMING Don t rely on the time in your vehicle to take care of your personal routine such as applying make-up, combing or brushing your hair, shaving, etc. Give yourself more time to get ready at home before you leave.

11 VEHICLE DASHBOARD One of the first things you should do before driving a car is familiarize yourself with the instruments on the dashboard. This way you won t be distracted by looking for them while you are driving (i.e. lights, wipers, gas gauge, heater/air conditioner, etc. ).

12 BUCKLE UP! Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teenagers. Using a seat belt is the single most effective way to reduce your chance of injury or death in a crash. Young drivers have the lowest rate of seatbelt use and the highest collision rate. Unbelted drivers account for almost 40 per cent of all fatalities in vehicle collisions. Don t forget to BUCKLE UP!

13 STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU DRIVE! You are 23 times more likely to be in a crash or near crash if you are texting while driving. If you are talking on a cell phone while driving, you are four to five more likely to be in a crash or near crash. The two most common distracted driving behaviours for young drivers are talking to passengers and adjusting the car radio. You are nine times more likely to be in a crash or near crash if you are reaching for a moving object. Remember to focus on your driving at all times. A splitsecond distraction behind the wheel can result in injury or even death. Buckle up! Young drivers have the lowest rate of seatbelt use and the highest collision rate.

14 Fill out the form for your chance to win a CASH prize. CLICK HERE TO START QUIZ