TEXTING while operating a vehicle is the most dangerous activity, but distracted driving means more than just texting. \u201cBeing distracted whilst driving is one of the major causes of road accidents and we need to be conscious of this,\u201d says Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s any activity that takes a person\u2019s attention away from the main task of driving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three types of distractions, namely visual, which is when the drivers take their eyes off the road; manual, a task that requires the drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel; and cognitive, when the driver\u2019s mind is not focussed on the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These activities could include eating and drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio or talking to passengers, to name just a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, texting is the riskiest activity because it is a visual, manual and cognitive diversion, which means no attention is being paid to the road,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re driving, you have to think about a lot of things: your speed, the traffic laws, the direction in which you are going, road conditions, pedestrians, other cars around you. It\u2019s a long list, and if you\u2019re not focussed on the task at hand, there is a greater chance that you\u2019ll be involved in an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says, however, passengers can help by reminding the drivers when their attention is not on the road and assisting them with anything they may need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Tips to ensure safer driving:<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Don\u2019t read, eat, change clothing or groom yourself while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Don\u2019t allow passengers to distract you. Ensure small children are buckled up before departing and if they require attention during the trip, rather pull over to assist them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Don\u2019t let animals roam around the vehicle freely. Rather put them in a pet carrier which is properly restrained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Create a playlist with your favourite music so you don\u2019t have to look for songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Let your friends and family know you will not answer any phone calls or texts while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Keep a safe following distance, allowing yourself time to react if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s all work together to make our roads a safer place this festive season,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Issued: Motor Industry Workshop Association)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TEXTING while operating a vehicle is the most dangerous activity, but distracted driving means more than just texting. \u201cBeing distracted whilst driving is one of the major causes of road accidents and we need to be conscious of this,\u201d says Dewald 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