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The Risks of Driving While Distracted

The Risks of Driving While Distracted

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Most people have experienced distractions while they are behind the wheel. Unless you are a brand-new driver and put all of your focus on learning how to navigate traffic, you may shift into “auto-pilot” mode from time to time. Other things can take your attention away from watching the road.

Distracted driving is, at best, a hazardous situation. It is, at worst, a major accident waiting to happen. Keeping your focus on driving is challenging sometimes, but it’s critical.

What Happens When Drivers Get Distracted

You can cover a lot of distance when you take your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds. Have you ever glanced away for a short time while driving 55 miles per hour? You may travel the length of a football field before returning your gaze to where it should be.

Driving in a metro area means you are going more slowly. However, that’s where traffic, pedestrians and signals are all around you. By the time you unwrap your cheeseburger, you may overlook the pedestrian in your path, run a red light or miss a reduced-speed traffic sign.

As distracted driving increases in frequency, officers watch drivers more closely than ever. You may get pulled over after getting distracted and missing something you shouldn’t have. If that happens, it’s a good idea to call a Florida traffic ticket lawyer. A free consultation allows you to ask questions about your case without financial risk. An experienced attorney knows the law and potential defenses to driving infractions.

The best policy is to avoid distracted driving in the first place. It dramatically reduces the odds you will be in an accident.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving

Many things can cause you to take your eyes off the road. A common distraction for many drivers is their phones. Hearing the alert sound of a new text message can seem irresistible. You may think checking briefly to see who it was can’t hurt. You may also believe that quickly answering a text won’t cause a problem. However, looking at your phone takes your eyes away from driving. Picking up your phone takes one hand off the wheel.

Many people eat while driving. It is understandable — maybe you have to run errands during your lunch hour, or you’re hungry while on a long trip. Eating and driving are a dangerous combination. You take one (or two) hands off of the wheel to handle your food. You may drop something on your lap and look down to see how big the mess is. Perhaps your box of fries is on the floor, and you reach down to get it. Eating is distracting for many reasons.

Paying attention to your music device can also take your attention away from driving. Maybe you want to skip a song on your playlist or flip through various radio stations. Worst of all, you may try to call the radio station to enter a contest while you’re driving. Your attention should be directed toward the road, not your music device.

How To Avoid Distracted Driving

You can take proactive steps to prevent yourself from getting distracted behind the wheel. Consider trying the following:

  • Silence or turn off your phone. That way, you won’t hear the alert sounds if you get a text, email or phone call. Keep your phone well out of reach so that you won’t be tempted to grab it.
  • If you need help navigating, have a passenger do it for you. Your passenger can look at the GPS and read directions out loud. If you must navigate alone, familiarize yourself with the route before setting out. Turn on the GPS volume to listen to directions instead of looking at the map.
  • Pull over to eat meals. It may take a little longer, but it can save you from getting into an accident (and making a mess).
  • Start your music before you drive off. Resist the urge to scan different radio stations. Use your presets to change them, and consider waiting until you get to a red light.

Distracted driving is a common occurrence. That said, it comes with many dangers. Make an effort to minimize the chances you’ll get distracted behind the wheel — it can save you from an accident.

The Different Types of Driving Classes and How to Determine Which Class Is for You

The Different Types of Driving Classes and How to Determine Which Class Is for You

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In today’s world, driving is one of life’s most important technical skills. In addition to the fact that it is interesting, being able to drive can add to your comfort level and lifestyle and get you hired for a job as well. But the sad truth is that you need to be a licensed driver to be legally on the road and improve your driving skills to ensure your safety. That of other road users, pedestrians, and Driving Lessons Sidcup, by training days school of motoring, can do that for you. Following are the types of driving lessons provided by the Driving Lessons Sidcup team.

Standard Driving Classes:

Also known as student or beginner’s classes, these classes offer lessons to beginners who are completely green in driving. You could call it the basics of driving, and each lesson should be taken seriously. After all, you can’t learn the hard stuff without first learning the basics of driving. Although it is rarely a legal requirement, passing and driving classes can also fall into this category, where, especially after passing their standard driving test, new drivers may need to attend additional classes to improve their driving skills and confidence on the road. Passing course and obtaining a pass certificate as well.

Driving Theory:

Just like any other course, driving involves theory. Driving theory lessons are very effective in preparing you for your driving test and completing driving classes that you will take before you face your driving test. In most cases, they are part of a typical driving course, but who says you can’t attend theory classes before a driving test for preparatory purposes? Driving Lessons Sidcup team can do that for you as well.

Intensive Driving Classes:

Time is of the essence for many people who want to learn and perfect their driving skills. Others are limited by their budget and financial obligations. Driving School in Coquitlam intensive driving classes are ideal for those who want to learn to drive quickly, perhaps during a vacation from work or study. With classes 2-5 hours a day, the whole course can be shortened to take one or two weeks.

Your courses can also be distributed to meet your specific needs. However, you may need to pass your driving theory test before starting your dynamic driving course, a prerequisite for booking a practical test. If your schedule is tight and can’t allow you to attend dynamic driving classes until you finish comfortably, you can also consider a slow-moving, often difficult driving course.

Defensive Driving:

You may be the best driver in town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t meet an accident. There are many types of drivers on the road, some of which can be disruptive, aggressive, or poorly qualified, all of which are safety hazards. This means that as long as you are on the road, you always face certain safety risks. However, these risks are much lower depending on how well you are prepared to identify hazards, anticipate them, and respond to various road conditions. It is about how good and informed decisions you make under various road conditions. It’s all about improving road safety and reducing accidents.

Driving Instructor Course:

This course has sections that focus on your skills. It would be good for those who are interested in teaching and training drivers and want to know all aspects of driving. In advanced courses, they can also learn how to train other driving instructors or trainers.

Job-Related Driving Classes:

Some occupations require that you take certain driving lessons to protect your job or to continue your career. If you intend to work as a driver in the passenger services industry, you will need additional training even if you have a standard driver’s license. When applying for a job at a heavy freight or cargo company, you must take a special heavy-duty vehicle test and pass it to get a certificate in that area. Operating heavy machinery and vehicles such as forks, bulldozers, and tractors is a heavy burden. It requires a different set of skills, for which you will need to take classes to be considered as a potential employer for that job.

Other Driving Classes:

The list of driving classes you can take doesn’t end there. In addition to the above list, drivers also take refresher courses to improve their car repair skills, road confidence, and safety while driving. In the Driving Lessons Sidcup, driving skills development classes are available, where drivers learn the country’s most basic laws and regulations, including highway codes, road signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and other subjects.