Avoid distractions while driving this festive season

THE already busy roads are likely to remain so over the rest of the festive season as many motorists head for their holiday destinations.

Road safety must be a priority for everyone as there are usually thousands of deaths on our roads every festive season.

According to experts, being distracted while driving is one of the major causes of road accidents and all motorists need to be conscious of this.

Any activity that takes a person’s attention away from the main task of driving is considered distracted driving.

Texting or looking at your phone while operating a vehicle remains one of the most dangerous activities but is not the only one.

There are three types of distractions – visual, which is when the driver takes their eyes off the road; manual, a task that requires the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel; and cognitive, when the driver’s mind is not focused on the task at hand.

These activities could include eating and drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio or talking to passengers, to name just a few. Here are some tips to ensure safer driving:

• Don’t read, eat, change clothing or groom yourself while driving.
• Don’t 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.
• Don’t let animals roam around the vehicle freely, rather put them in a pet carrier which is properly restrained.
• Create a playlist with your favourite music so you don’t have to look for songs.
• Let your friends and family know you will not answer any phone calls or texts while driving.
• Keep a safe following distance, allowing yourself time to react if required.

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