When driving in Illinois, there are plenty of distractions vying to take your attention off of the road. Some distractions can be easily avoided, while others may take you by surprise and be impossible to predict. Good driving hinges on how well you can anticipate potential distractions, how you react to them, and how you prevent distractions within your control.
Step one is knowing where the common distractions are. When it comes to driving distractions, Psychology Today has provided a list of the most common distractions for teens. However, many of these distractions apply to older drivers as well. Examples include cell phone usage, which is actually at the top of the list for many. Whether it’s texting, checking social media, or making phone calls, these small devices contribute to a huge number of accidents.
Friends or passengers are also constantly vying for top spot on the distraction list. Conversations with other people in the car or being distracted by their antics can easily result in car accidents. This is especially true if you are distracted by someone in the back seat and turn around, which takes your attention and sight away from the road ahead. Smaller but still common distractions include dealing with the music or temperature, eating, or checking directions while driving.
All in all, if you have to do anything outside of driving while behind the wheel, you should ideally be pulling over to the side of the road to get it done. Some distractions, like passengers, are harder to deal with than others. However, maintaining focus is crucial to being a safe driver.