Distracted Driving

We’ve all heard our parents’ stories about how “back in the day” everyone had a few drinks and then drove home – it was no big deal. People even drove around without wearing seatbelts! Now, after more than 35 years of education and enforcement, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in impaired driving related deaths and it’s no longer socially acceptable to drink and drive.

But while we’ve made serious strides with impaired driving, the number of people killed and injured as a result of distracted driving is steadily increasing in B.C. and has now, in fact, passed impaired driving. In a survey conducted for ICBC, B.C. drivers said they consider texting while driving to be more risky than drinking and driving. And while most drivers agree it’s risky, about one quarter still admit to texting and driving.

We know answering our phone or sending a text message takes our focus away from the road, yet we don’t seem to make the connection that it’s dangerous. Perhaps because as a society we’re used to multi-tasking and, most of the time, nothing bad happens. But not all multi-tasking is equal.

We can drive and do something like turn up the volume on the radio or roll down the window without much danger. But if we’re driving and want to call someone or send a text message, our brain has to do a lot more conscious thinking: choosing the right words or keystrokes, or responding quickly to avoid gaps in the conversation. These tasks are more complex and require greater mental resources. So our brain switches “off” of driving and “on” to the phone conversation or text message. In those few seconds, the likelihood of crashing greatly increases. In fact, we are four times more likely to crash if we use our phone while driving – never mind the near misses and annoyed drivers.

It’s time we all agree to put our phones away when we’re behind the wheel. Although we can feel like we should be constantly accessible, it can actually feel good to disconnect – to enjoy a few moments of silence, listen to music or take in the scenery. Companies who have implemented a “no phones while driving” policy report no loss in productivity, happier employees and more importantly, improved safety records.

Police will be cracking down on distracted drivers this month. Cell Watch volunteers will also be out there reminding drivers to stay focused on the road and local ICBC road safety coordinators will be setting up a driving simulator at community events around the province to help drivers understand how distractions can impact your ability to complete simple tasks.

Everyone plays a role in keeping our roads safe including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Get involved – encourage a safe driving policy at work, talk to your family and friends about the issue and share your experiences on social media. You can also pick up a “not while driving” decal at ICBC or Autoplan broker offices as a reminder that no call or text is so important it’s worth risking your life or anyone else’s. Remember, when you’re on the road, stay off the phone. #LeaveYourPhoneAlone.