The holiday season brings joy, excitement, and a whirlwind of activity—shopping for gifts, enjoying all sorts of festivities, and reuniting with loved ones. But amidst the celebrations, the roads can become more dangerous than normal, especially when you add distracted driving into the mix! And it’s not just up to you. Remember, you’re also having to navigate around other drivers who may not be fully focused on the road.
Distracted driving includes any activity that takes your attention away from the road—texting, eating or drinking, adjusting the radio, or even being preoccupied with your holiday to-do list.
The 4 types of distracted driving:
- Auditory: hearing or listening to something not related to driving. This could include phone calls, podcasts, music or any other disruptive audio.
- Cognitive: being distracted by thoughts unrelated to driving or losing cognitive function from lack of sleep.
- Manual: physically handling something other than the steering wheel. Common manual distractions are eating or applying makeup while driving.
- Visual: looking at something other than the road.
During the holidays, the risks are even greater due to:
- Increased Traffic: Many people are attending year-end parties, getting in some last-minute shopping or even heading out to visit friends and family. More cars on the road means a higher likelihood of distractions and accidents.
- Stress and Multitasking: Rushing from store to store or juggling holiday schedules can split your focus.
- Winter Weather: In many locations around the country, challenging driving conditions such as rain, snow or icy streets require your full attention to stay safe.
Tips to Stay Focused:
- Put Away Your Phone: Turn it off or use a "Do Not Disturb While Driving" mode.
- Plan Ahead: Give yourself extra time to get to your destination to reduce stress.
- Focus on the Road: Avoid multitasking while driving—your errands and holiday calls can wait.
- Take Breaks: If you’re feeling tired or overwhelmed, pull over and regroup before continuing your drive.