Many of us have fallen into driving habits that take our focus away from the task of driving. We are great multi-taskers, but when you're behind the wheel, smart drivers just drive. Driving requires your full attention and concentration.
The evidence speaks for itself: drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a collision than a driver who is focused on the road.
In three seconds driving sixty kilometres per hour you travel fifty metres – that's the distance across half a football field. When you take your eyes off the road for even a second, a lot can happen.
What does the law say?
Ontario's ban on hand-held devices while driving took effect on October 26, 2009. The law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices.
Turn off your phone and put it in a compartment that you can't access while you are driving so you aren't tempted to use it.
If your cell phone rings while you are driving, have it go to voicemail and check it when you are at your destination.
Only use your cell phone when you are parked or safely pulled over on the side of the road.
As a parent:
Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death of young people. A combination of inexperience, risk taking and a high rate of cell phone use makes teenagers at risk.
Talk to your teenager about the dangers of using their cell phone or texting while driving.
Friends in the car while a new driver is behind the wheel can be distracting. Talk to your teen about the importance of not being distracting to the driver.
Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel
Many drivers today tend to view driving, especially in familiar environments, as a simple task that requires minimal attention. That is not the case as Rick Mercer explains for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
Rick Mercer on Distracted Driving
Multi-tasking. We all do it. Heck, I can sit on my couch, watch five channels and Google my brains out all at the same time. It's very impressive and it's safe.
But multi-tasking while driving, using your cell phone or texting, that's not impressive. That's - what's the word I'm looking for, here - dumb!
It's also illegal. So don't do it. Anything that takes your eyes off the road increases your chance of crashing. When it comes to driving it's Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel - my friends. It's the law.
