Technological Distracted Driving

The Dangers of Technological Distracted Driving The use of technological devices such as cellphones has become one of the main practices performed by many individuals in the modern era. We utilize cellphones in order to communicate with others via text message or phone calls, research unfamiliar topics or destinations, and to give us directions to places we are not familiar with (GPS). People have begun to utilize such practices of cell phone use behind the wheel of their vehicles, which has in turn lead to distracted driving. Distracted driving is known as “driving while performing any activity which could potentially distract a driver from the primary task of operating a motor vehicle. In theory, it can be anything that could take a driver’s

Manual driving distractions include the act of taking one or both of your hands off the steering wheel while driving a motor vehicle. This includes reaching for personal belongings such as your purse or backpack, consuming food or beverages, smoking, and adjusting different knobs located in your vehicle for instance, the adjustment of your seat, radio station, or rear view mirror. The second type of a driving distraction is visual, meaning any type of visual distraction that prompts your eyes to be focused on something other than the road. Examples encompass searching for items you have dropped in your vehicle, checking your mobile device and or navigation system built into your vehicle for directions, and taking in the scenery. Lastly we have cognitive driving distractions which is when a situation occurs while driving that causes your mind to wonder away from your focus of driving. For instance, holding a conversation with your passengers, recalling traumatic events occurring in your life, road rage, and driving while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. (Three Types of Driving

Voice activated technology was introduced in order to allow drivers to just push a button located on their steering wheel which activates a program in their car that allows them to say who they would like to call. This ultimately creates less of a distraction due to the fact that now instead of locating your phone and searching through your contacts list in order to make a call, now you just have to push a button on your steering wheel and mention the individuals name and it will automatically make the call for you. This invention is also linked to Bluetooth, which is the capability of talking to an individual through the speakers located in your car. Before Bluetooth was introduced individuals had to use one of their hands in order to hold their phone to their ear which is considered a distraction due to the fact that both hands are not on the wheel. Lastly cars have installed a technological program known as OnStar that allows the driver to get turn-by-turn directions to a destination in which they are not familiar with, with just a touch of a button. This has allowed for a safer and more efficient way in order to get directions. Before drivers would use their phones to browse the web in order to get directions, now drivers just have to press a button that will connect them to an individual