What's Causing You to Lose Your Driving Focus

Driving requires a tremendous amount of focus and your complete attention. Distracted driving affects all drivers and can come with dangerous consequences. However, unfocused driving does not affect all drivers the same. Some take more risks and pay less attention to road thus increasing their risk for disaster. Understanding what is at stake and how even the smallest distractions can affect your ability to drive could prevent a serious accident. After you’ve been driving for a while you get comfortable and simply forget just how dangerous it can bebecause you’re complacent to the risks of driving. As a result, you’re more likely to feel like you can send a quick text message or daydream without putting yourself in danger. Compounding the problem are other states of mind like rushing, frustration and fatigue. All of these can further contribute to taking your eyes and mind off the task of driving and influence your decisions to do things when driving. Here is what causes you to lose your driving focus most of the time.

Symptoms of driver fatigue

It is very difficult for drivers to assess their own level of fatigue. The ability to self-assess becomes increasingly impaired as you get more fatigued. However, the self-confidence in this ability remains. Nevertheless, there are some warning signs to look out for, including:
  • Trouble focusing, or narrowing of attention
  • Head nodding
  • Inability to keep the eyes open
  • Not remembering the last few minutes
  • Slower reaction time
  • Daydreaming and wandering thoughts
  • Constant yawning or rubbing your eyes
  • Drifting in the lane
Keep in mind that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is very likely that your driving performance is already impaired.


Causes of Distracted Driving

Absolutely anything can distract a driver. Unfortunately, it is very common for people to try and multitask while driving. It can vary from obvious distractions such as crying kids in the back seat to eating lunch behind the wheel. Any task which takes your attention away from the road is a distraction. Even if your eyes are focused on the road while eating or drinking, shifting your food from hand to hand, looking down when you spill, or burning yourself on a cup of coffee could all take your attention away from the road just long enough to cause an accident.

Examples of Driving Distractions
  • Playing with the radio
  • Crying kids in the back seat
  • Eating
  • Cell phones, talking and texting
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol
  • Playing with a GPS
  • Smoking - Only one in a hundred accidents is related to lighting a cigarette, smoking or putting it out
  • Moving objects – Moving objects in the car such as insects and pets can lead you to take your eyes off the road
  • Using devices to operate the vehicle – Adjusting things like mirrors or seatbelts plays a relatively minor role in distraction-related car accidents.
  • Eating or drinking – Every car has cup holdersand using them can be a source of distraction.

Obviously, the list of driving distracted examples could go on and on. Some people even take it further as far as shaving or applying makeup while driving. While it is impossible to outlaw all distracted driving, many states have created laws against the biggest offenders such as cell phone usage and driving under the influence.

The consequences of driver fatigue can be pretty tragic.  Because fatigue impairs decision making abilities, drivers can lapse into a "micro-sleep" without realizing. This may only last a few seconds, but if it coincides with the need to perform some critical driving task, the risk of crashing is greatly increased. The consequences of accidents attributed to driver fatigue are often the most serious in terms of death, injuries and property damage because the fatigued driver makes no attempt to avoid the impending crash. This is why the effects of driver fatigue are so dangerous.


Location: New York, NY, USA

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