Driver Safety Education Blog

Driver distraction is a catch-all for anything which distracts the driver. So let's start with some common distractions. Talking on a cell phone, texting, looking away from the road to see a passenger, kids and animals in the vehicle, dropping something, hot coffee spilling, lighting a smoke, doing makeup, combing hair, looking at the sights, reading confusing road signs, getting lost, and on and on.

We are going to talk about young drivers being distracted by other youngsters who are passengers in the vehicle. Distraction can occur when someone talks to the driver, or eggs the driver to do something which raises a conflict within the driver. Telling jokes or stories is great but not when the driver takes his/her eyes off the road to look at a passenger while doing it. Also, the driver is not paying attention to the road and conditions when doing so.

Ground Rules

Go over ground rules with your parents.

Once you have your passengers, and before driving off, the driver should establish some ground rules for the passengers.
For example: Shut up and sit still. No music (radio, mp3 player, etc.) unless using earphones and the music volume is not heard by the driver. No fooling around. Seatbelts fastened. No drugs, no alcohol.

If the ground rules are not followed, stop the vehicle in a safe location, call and wait for a parent and advise the passengers the trip is over. You, as the driver, will be harshly criticized because of it. Either you stand your ground or become a wuss. Your choice. Tell you what though, the next time they are with you, you will have earned their respect and they will follow the rules.

Remember, if something happens, it's not the passengers who will get into trouble, it is you, the driver. And, if you the driver gets into an unfortunate collision, then your passengers may be hurt or killed. Teenagers are not invincible, even though they may think they are.
AND, no matter what, YOU will be responsible!

So, here is what you can say to your passengers, "Do not distract me - I have your life in my hands!">.

And, that statement above is so true. Life or Death - up to you.

This collision didn't have to be. Two teens dead, the rest injured. Why?
Here is the initial story from the Edmonton Journal, October 31, 2008.
(More to come in the next posting.)

Be Aware - Be Safe

Cheers - Mike