the disastrous dangers of distracted driving

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Think safety.
the disastrous dangers of distracted driving
As you begin driving delivery trucks on this assignment, remember that ➔ rooming – Listen, you look great. Really! No need to take your eyes
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there’s a big difference between focused driving and distracted driving. off the road and fix yourself up in the rearview mirror.
Focused driving is concentrating on the coordination of your hands, feet,
eyes, ears, and body movements while deciding how to react to what you Thoughts for the road
see, hear, and feel in relation to other cars, traffic signs, and road conditions. Distracted driving is a bigger issue than most people think. Consider
these not-so-fun facts about people who drive while distracted.
Distracted driving, now that can involve anything that distracts your ➔ early 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some
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physical and mental attention from driving. And it’s not a good thing, form of driver inattention within three seconds preceding the event.
especially when driving around a truck!
➔ recent poll conducted by Nationwide Insurance® indicated that 98
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percent of people feel they are safe drivers, yet nearly three quarters
Here are some distractions to avoid at all costs while driving:
report that they perform other tasks while driving!
➔ ngaging in hand-held or hands-free cell phone conversations –
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Recent studies have shown that drivers on cell phones, even hands-free ➔ t is estimated that a driver makes an average of 20 major decisions
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ones, fail to see up to 50 percent of their driving environment. during every mile of driving.
➔ eading a road map or adjusting a navigation system – Don’t wait
R ➔ lthough they tend to increase their following distance, drivers on cell
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until you are driving to plan your route. Access an online mapping phones have more rear-end crashes than drunk drivers.
service before you hit the road, or use a pre-programmed GPS.
➔ ealing with shifting cargo or something that has dropped on
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Now consider this
If scary statistics and safety tips aren’t enough, consider the big picture
the floor – Unless you just dropped encased plutonium, there’s really
the next time you’re out driving (on the job or on your own).
nothing worthwhile enough to distract yourself with picking up.
➔ aking or receiving a phone call while driving makes you four times
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➔ ating, drinking beverages, or smoking – These will usually take one
E as likely to be involved in a traffic crash, according to the Insurance
or both hands off the steering wheel. Not to mention, that three-second Institute for Highway Safety. Texting while driving is even worse
distraction when you realize they put onions on your cheeseburger because your eyes aren’t even on the road for most of the time. Now
could lead to trouble if someone up front is braking suddenly. take a moment to focus on those who are counting on you to get home
➔ hecking PDAs, browsing the Internet, or text messaging – Let’s
C safely every day before you take that next phone call or reply to that
be as clear as possible: there is no safe way to drive while texting or next text message. Is it worth it? What is so important that you need to
playing around on a PDA. Even if you are proficient enough that you endanger yourself and others? Can’t it wait? Sure it can!
don’t take your eyes off the road, your mind is off the road and your
hands are off the wheel. Be smart, and just don’t do it! To learn other fun facts about workplace safety, visit
➔ djusting the radio, CD player, or MP3 player – Digital music devices
A kellyocg.com/safetyfirst today!
are great…until you’re busy fumbling with them to look for that one
song on the way to your next delivery. Pre-set a driving playlist ahead of
time to provide continuous tunes without the need for adjustments.
Zero on-the-job accidents, zero on-
the-job injuries, and zero on-the-job
illnesses. ABSOLUTE ZERO!
kellyocg.com/safetyfirst
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