We have all seen those ‘other’ people on our way to work. They are doing their makeup or shaving as they drive along ahead of us. Or maybe they’re scarfing down a burger with a drink in the other hand. How about that cute little dog hanging his head out the driver’s window as the car flies down the road.
All of these are examples of distracted driving — and we haven’t even mentioned cell phones and texting.
A survey in 2012 by Ipsos Reid told us that 44 per cent of us believe that driving is a complex task. Yet 40 per cent of people who own cell phones admit they have used them while driving. The disconnect is that we think ourselves capable of doing it, but don’t think others have the ability to do the same. The news is that we’re wrong: none of us can be good drivers as we deal with these distractions.
Distractions go well beyond texting and using a cell phone. There are many other distractions to make us cautious. Common ones include eating or drinking, grooming, reading and even watching a video or reading the newspaper. Pets can be very distracting, especially on a driver’s lap!
The challenges of distracted driving come in three main forms: physical interference of handling or manipulating the object; reduced cognition, not being able to recognize or understand what is going on around you; and visual where we ‘look at’ instead of ‘see’ what is around us. This is also called ‘inattention blindness.’
Texting or reading on cell phones while driving presents all three types of distraction. It is also associated with a greater number of driving errors such as decreased reaction time to surroundings, greater variability in speed and greater lane change variability.
Pets are another source of visual, physical, and cognitive driver distraction, particularly if they are in the front seat of the vehicle and unrestrained. They can obstruct the view of the driver along with vehicle controls. It just gets worse if the driver is petting or grooming the animal, or using his arms to restrict the movement of the animal.
Specific laws vary between provinces, but since September 2011, Alberta has had the most comprehensive and strongest distracted driving laws. The first feature is that it applies to all vehicles (including bicycles) and on all roads. Under the Alberta law it is illegal to use hand-held cell phones, text or email, use electronic devices like cameras, computers, video games and players. It is also illegal to enter information on GPS units.
The law goes beyond even those restrictions to include reading printed materials, writing, printing or sketching and personal grooming. And pets? They’re not allowed to get in the way or the driver.
British Columbia’s distracted driving laws are much more narrowly defined and focus on the use of electronic devices like cell phones and other communication devices. Introduced in 2010, the law includes a fine of $167 for talking on mobile devices while driving; texting or emailing receives an additional three penalty points and the fine.
If the Alberta law seems severe, it should, after all, distracted driving is the third leading cause of fatal car crashes in BC. It might be time to reconsider a popular phrase and change it to “Just DON’T do it!”
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
