AFFORDABLE & EFFECTIVE

DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Distracted Driving

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Because distracted driving has become such an issue, our adult driver’s education program will go in-depth into the dangers and consequences, as well as how to avoid, distracted driving. According to the CDC, nine people are killed every day in accidents that occur due to a distracted driver. When most people hear the phrase “distracted driving,” they think about a driver who is texting while driving; however, drivers can be distracted by a variety of things.

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What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is operating a vehicle when something steals your attention away from the road. This can include distractions inside the car, such as passengers, pets, children, the radio, looking at yourself in the mirror, reaching for an item, eating, or drinking; or anything outside of the vehicle, including other drivers, scenery, billboards, or pedestrians. Distracted driving can be broken down into three types:

  • Visual: When something causes you to take your eyes off of the road, anything from a text on your phone or a passenger in the back seat asking you a question.
  • Manual: When something causes you to take your hands off of the wheel, from answering your phone, eating, or reaching for an item that fell.
  • Cognitive: When something causes you to stop thinking about what you are doing, things like daydreaming, talking on the phone, and talking with passengers.

Preventing distracted driving doesn’t mean you can’t talk to passengers or can’t change the station on the radio, but it’s important to be aware of when it’s happening, or the triggers that lead to being distracted. In Oregon, according to a new law that was passed as of October 1, 2017, it is illegal to hold or use an electronic device, including cell phones, tablets, or a GPS device. As a part of your adult driver’s education, we’ll go over how to avoid distracted driving, but here are the basics: