3 Types of Distractions and How Your Drivers Can Avoid Them
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3 Types of Distractions and How Your Drivers
Can Avoid Them
Tags: Texting and Driving, Distracted Driving, Fleet, Risk Management, Employee Distracted
Driving
As a fleet administrator, risk manager, owner or CEO, you set an expectation of employee conduct
and performance. This extends to their time behind the wheel representing your department, your
products or your company. You want them to be courteous, defensive drivers who focus on the road
and avoid distractions. But do you know how many distractions your team members face behind the
wheel every day? Research has shown work interruptions can add up to more than 6 hours in a given
day. This is even more true behind the wheel where there are a litany things that can distract a driver,
those that are intentional and those that are unintentional. And they can usually be broken down into
three categories: visual, manual and cognitive. You’ll notice right away that they’re interrelated, and
mobile devices can cause distraction in any or all three categories. So to understand how to combat
these competitors for attention, you must first understand the three types of distractions and how they
can affect your drivers.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are the most common type of distraction—basically they are anything that take
driver’s eyes from the road or even for a split-
second, change their visual focus from driving. It
could be looking for items in the vehicle, looking
at the scenery around them, or they could be
looking down at their console to view a text
message or watch a YouTube video. These are just
a few of the visual factors that can take a driver’s
visual attention from the road.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions, as you might imagine, can be
combined with visual distractions. A manual
distraction involves the driver taking their hands
off of the steering wheel for any reason. It may be
to change the radio station or lower the volume,
answer a call or send a text message, grab their
cup of coffee, or eat that breakfast burrito on the
way to the job site.
Cognitive Distractions
https://www.cellcontrol.com/fleet-blog/3-distractions-how-drivers-can-avoid-them?utm_sou... 3/1/2019
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The last area of distractions while driving is the cognitive distractions. These are distractions that keep
a driver’s mind from being focused during driving. You can probably remember times that you’ve
driven down the road, most likely a barren freeway or a road you’ve traveled many times before, and
you realize you cannot remember the last five or 10 minutes of the trip. This is one way a cognitive
distraction takes over. If something else captures your attention, like an argument with a spouse or
coworker, or you are having trouble concentrating on the road, it could lead to potential accidents.
You won’t be in the right state of mind to think quickly or drive as safely as you should. Again,
cogitative distractions can take on many forms: emotional stress, family or money problems, or even
talking to someone else in the fleet vehicle. Using a mobile device can also involve cognitive
distractions.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving
Based on findings from the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), using a phone
behind the wheel, whether for texting, calls, social media or otherwise, has the biggest potential for
distraction while driving. This is because it combines all three forms of distraction, manual, visual and
cognitive.
We encounter or engage in many
of these types of distractions
without even realizing it. But for
safe driving, your employees must
have their eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and full attention on
the road and driving defensively.
When you think about your safe
driving vision for your company
and begin teaching your employee
drivers about avoiding distracted
driving, it is important that they
avoid all types of distractions
behind the wheel. Here are some of
the top things drivers can do to avoid distracted driving:
• Finish meals, grooming, etc. before getting behind the wheel.
• Program any GPS directions before starting your trip.
• Complete calls, texts, emails, etc., prior to vehicle movement
For many employees, the temptation or perceived need to use their phones behind the wheel is just to
strong. Even with education, continuous training and consequences, employees are still using their
phones and getting into accidents. It's imperative you look at how you're enforcing your policies and
reinforcing the training.
https://www.cellcontrol.com/fleet-blog/3-distractions-how-drivers-can-avoid-them?utm_sou... 3/1/2019
BE PREPARED FOR A
TORNADO
Tornadoes can
destroy buildings,
flip cars, and create
FEMA V-1010/ March 2018
deadly flying debris.
Tornadoes are
violently rotating 200+ MPH
columns of air
that extend from
a thunderstorm
to the ground. Can happen anytime Bring intense winds Can happen anywhere Look like funnels
IF YOU ARE UNDER A TORNADO WARNING,
FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
Go to a safe room, If you can safely get to a sturdy
basement, or storm cellar. building, do so immediately.
If there is no basement, 1 Do not get under an overpass
get to a small, interior room or bridge. You’re safer in a low,
on the lowest level. flat location.
Stay away from windows, Watch out for flying debris that
doors, and outside walls. can cause injury or death.
Use your arms to protect
your head and neck.HOW TO STAY SAFE
WHEN A TORNADO THREATENS
Prepare Survive Be Safe
NOW DURING AFTER
Know your area’s tornado risk. In the Immediately go to a safe location Keep listening to EAS, NOAA
U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast that you identified. Weather Radio, and local authorities
have a greater risk for tornadoes. for updated information.
Take additional cover by shielding
Know the signs of a tornado, your head and neck with your If you are trapped, cover your
including a rotating funnel-shaped arms and putting materials such as mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid
cloud, an approaching cloud of furniture and blankets around you. breathing dust. Try to send a text,
debris, or a loud roar—similar to a bang on a pipe or wall, or use a
freight train. Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather whistle instead of shouting.
Radio, or local alerting systems for
Sign up for your community’s current emergency information and Stay clear of fallen power lines or
warning system. The Emergency Alert instructions. broken utility lines.
System (EAS) and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Do not try to outrun a tornado in Do not enter damaged buildings until
(NOAA) Weather Radio also provide a vehicle. you are told that they are safe.
emergency alerts. If your community
has sirens, become familiar with the If you are in a car or outdoors and Save your phone calls for
warning tone. cannot get to a building, cover your emergencies. Phone systems are
head and neck with your arms and often down or busy after a disaster.
Pay attention to weather reports. cover your body with a coat or Use text messaging or social media to
Meteorologists can predict when blanket, if possible. communicate with family and friends.
conditions might be right for
a tornado. Be careful during clean-up. Wear
thick-soled shoes, long pants, and
Identify and practice going to a work gloves.
safe shelter for high winds, such as a
safe room built using FEMA criteria
or a storm shelter built to ICC 500
standards. The next best protection is
a small, interior, windowless room in a
sturdy building on the lowest level.
Take an Active Role
Consider constructing a safe in Your Safety
room that meets FEMA or
ICC 500 standards. Go to ready.gov and search
for tornado. Download
the FEMA app to get
more information about
preparing for a tornado.
Find Emergency Safety Tips
FEMA V-1010
under Prepare.
Catalog No. 17233-11You can also read
