Top driving distractions to be avoided

With the holiday season in full swing, many roads across the country are expected to be busier for the next few weeks as South Africans embark on their holidays.

Arrive Alive has reminded motorists to always be fully alert on the roads.

“When driving at 120km/h, you are in a zone where things can go wrong in a few split seconds. A lack of concentration and plenty of distractions could place us and our passengers in serious trouble,” AA said.

Dewald Ranft from the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) said any activity that took a person’s attention away from the main task of driving was considered distracted driving.

He said that texting or looking at your phone while operating a vehicle remains one of the most dangerous activities.

Although those two contribute to many accidents, they are not the only distractions that cause road accidents.

Eating, smoking, drinking, grooming, adjusting the radio or talking to a passenger also distract drivers.

Ranft offered these additional tips to ensure safer driving:

– Don’t read, eat, change clothing or groom yourself while driving.

– Don’t allow passengers to distract you. Ensure small children are buckled up before departing and if they require attention during the trip, rather pull over to assist them.

– Don’t let animals roam around the vehicle freely, rather put them in a pet carrier which is properly restrained.

– Create a playlist with your favourite music so you don’t have to look for songs.

– Let your friends and family know you will not answer any phone calls or texts while driving.

– Keep a safe following distance, allowing yourself time to react if required.

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