There are a lot of people who become distracted easily while driving. For many people, this can be due to other passengers and/or children in the car as well as the use of technological devices such as cell phones, pagers, ipods, mp3 players, cds and changing radio stations. However, perhaps the most distracting thing while driving are things surrounding our emotions.
Not that long ago, the state of New York banned drivers from talking on their cell phones while driving. In its place, all drivers were now required to have hands free cell phones if they were to talk while driving in a car. But the concern for talking on the phone while in the car stretches far beyond the cell phone ban. Imagine receiving a phone call while you are driving only to be informed that someone you care about is hurt or in trouble. How would you react? What would your physical response be? Now imagine driving behind someone else who may have just received concerning news. Suddenly, you see them speed off haphazardly into traffic, cutting people off and weaving in and out of lanes before they almost crash into several unsuspecting drivers.
Some people aruge that there isn t a difference between driving and talking on the cell phone versus driving and talking to someone who is actually physically next to you. While the debate continues, one thing is for certain; emotional driving gets more people into accidents each and every day. Have you ever seen two people arguing in a car that is moving? As a precaution, you may find yourself wanting to switch lanes because as the intensity of the argument escalates, you notice that the driver isn t paying quite as close attention to the road as he or she should be. They re riding the line that divides their lane from another as their vehicle swerves.
Human beings are naturally emotional people. However, when it comes to driving, we need to minimize the emotional element in order to preserve our safety as well as the safety of those around us. It is for this reason that many people advise others not to use their cell phones to talk while driving. And contrary to popular belief, there is one distinct difference that separates talking on a phone while driving from talking to a person who is physically in your car. In order to talk on a phone you need at least one hand to answer the phone as well as to end the call (definitely one hand for those who don t have a hands free device). Additionally, when you are on the phone with someone, your mind is focused on what the person is saying. Many people get poor cell phone reception or have a difficult time visualizing what the other person s facial expressions are to determine their mood while involved in a conversation. They can t look over for a quick glance like they can with someone who is seated right next to them.
If you re planning on driving, try to keep your emotions in check. If something upsets you, recruit someone else to drive or if you are in the middle of driving, pull off to the side of the road until you can compose yourself. Don t put other people s lives in danger.