The dangers of distracted driving
Distracted driving is anything that diverts your attention from the road. Distractions take your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel and your mind off the job of driving.
Being distracted, even for a few seconds, can cause a fatal crash because distracted drivers take longer to react to changing road conditions. They fail to see other vehicles and road users and can miss important traffic signs and lights, increasing their risk of collision.
One of the most dangerous distractions is using a hand-held electronic device while driving to talk, text or email. And in Manitoba, it’s against the law.
If you’re texting, who’s driving
If you’re using your phone while driving you might think you’re in control, but you’re driving distracted. Every year, an average of almost 30 people die in crashes linked to distracted driving in Manitoba. If you’re texting and driving, you’re not able to focus on the road.
Don’t text, just drive.
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Before you get behind a real wheel, see for yourself how risky texting and driving is at chooseyourreality.ca.
Distractions can happen both inside and outside your vehicle. Here are some of the most common distractions.
Inside your vehicle:
- hand-held electronic devices such as cellphones and MP3 players
- passengers - including pets
- eating, drinking, smoking
- adjusting the radio, CD player and climate controls
- programming GPS navigation
- reading - including maps
- personal grooming
Outside your vehicle:
- pedestrians and other road users
- domestic animals and wildlife
- building and road construction
- commercial signs
- roadside distractions such as emergency situations
As a driver, it is your responsibility to learn how you can avoid these distractions.