GEM identifies key driver distractions

Road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has published a list of the six main distractions to drivers, and tips on how to avoid them.

Writing in the autumn edition of Good Motoring, GEM’s quarterly member magazine, road safety author Sandra Macdonald-Ames said, ‘As drivers we now deal with more distractions than ever before. There are so many potential demands on our attention, some inside the car, some on the outside and others occurring inside our heads. There is the potential for us to allow any distraction to take our minds off the central task of driving – with potentially disastrous consequences.’

Where drivers divide their attention between the main task of driving and a secondary, distracting task, there will be a negative effect on driving performance. Sensible lane choice can disappear, reactions are slowed, observations become more fixed, all-round scanning stops, drivers get too close up behind others and find it hard to keep speeds consistent. They feel less in control of the environment, they are more likely to become stressed, and this can lead to tiredness and/or anger.

Sandra said, ‘But the good news is that we can banish just about any distraction, as long as we want to. This is best achieved through straightforward self-discipline and sensible journey planning.’

Addressing the key distractions, GEM urged drivers to leave the phone alone. It advises drivers to consider putting it out of reach to remove the temptation.

Drivers should also plan the journey in advance so that they are aware of their approximate route.

Meanwhile, drivers shouldn’t spend their time shuffling through music. Instead, they’re advised to select their presets before they begin their journey.

Drivers should also limit eating and drinking behind the wheel, and ensuring they stop for 15 minutes every two hours or 100 miles to remain fresh.