6 Situations Where You are Most Likely to be a Distracted Driver

July 9th, 2014  |  Auto Insurance

Drivers Who Text are 23X More Likely to Crash*

Drivers Who Talk are 4X More Likely to Have an Accident*

We all know that distracted driving is an issue on our roads. It is a leading cause of accidents around the world. A lot of attention is placed on texting and driving and other distracted driving practices that put drivers at risk when behind the wheel. However, we also need to focus on the temptations that surround us when driving – the situations where we are most likely to engage in distracted driving practices. 

If we knew how to handle these situations, drivers would have a better chance of eliminating situations when you are most likely to check your phone while driving, along with other negative driving habits. 

Creating Awareness for Situations Where Drivers Become Distracted

The first step is creating awareness about the situations where drivers are most likely to engage in distracted driving. Here is a list of some of the most common situations where drivers engage in distracted driving on the roads:

1. Red Lights: Red lights are one of the biggest temptations for drivers to pull their phone out while waiting, especially if their phone rang or a message notification occurred when they were driving. 
2. Stop Signs: This is another big temptation for drivers. Drivers think because they are stopped that they have the time to check their phone quickly – This is a leading cause of issues at stop signs and four way stops. Always pay attention to what you are doing when driving!
3. Stopped traffic on the highway: It’s common to find yourself in stopped traffic on the highway from time to time, especially if you live in the GTA. This is not the time to check your phone. In fact, it can be one of the most dangerous. Even though you are proceeding at a slow rate of speed in stop and go traffic, you need to pay careful attention or you could even up rear ending another driver. 
4. Waiting to turn left: Another instance where drivers think they have the time to take a quick peek at their phone and take their eyes off the road. Focus on driving and making a safe left turn. 
5. When you are close to home: They say that most traffic accidents are caused only a few kilometers from home. Even though you drive in your neighborhood frequently and know the area well, it’s not time to put things on auto pilot and check your phone or take a call. 
6. Parking lots: It has become the norm to come out of the store, get in the car and check your phone. Just make sure you finish with your phone before you turn the car on and leave your parking spot. 

If we can have the will power to not pick up our phones, we can make an impact and significantly reduce the number of accidents on our roads. Eliminating distracted driving starts with you!

Learn More About Distracted Driving

HUB Insurance Hunter writes extensively about distracted driving and how to prevent it to make our roads safer for everyone. If you would like to learn more about distracted driving, please check out these articles about a variety of distracted driving and road safety topics:

Hands Free is Not Risk Free Driving

Distracted Driving – Not Just Young and Old

Distracted Driving Fact Sheet Infographic

Teens and Distracted Driving – What You Need to Know and How to Eliminate It

*Source: VTTI – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute