Distraction-Free Driving? Not on this Road Trip

When it comes to keeping the car peaceful during long road trips, the key is in keeping the kids distracted.  The less they notice the slow passage of time, the better.  While this is not so for the driver, distraction-free driving is increasingly challenged by the population of gadgets and gizmos that proliferate in every segment of our lives.  The automobile is no exception to this accumulation of clutter.  The modern person thrives on constant interaction, and what could be less compelling than staring at a dull grey highway for hours on end without interruption?  Today’s cars are equipped with GPS’s, cell phones, make-up bags, iPods, and take-out food.  And although we’ve driven under the influence of distraction for decades (my mom and dad used to drive holding a ceramic mug filled with scalding coffee), it’s the cell phone that has brought it all to a screeching halt. 

Research from the University of Utah has proven that using a cell phone while driving has the same effect as driving impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent.  This is troubling, but not all that surprising.  What is shocking, however, is that the study also found little difference in driver performance between those using a hand held cell phone and those using a hands free one.  It would appear that the act of talking is the cause of the distraction, and not so much the device.  Despite this important bit of evidence, many provinces and states have passed legislation banning the use of hand held phones, thereby encouraging hands free talking. 

In Alberta, a new bill was introduced that bans not just hand-held cellphones, but also texting, reading, writing, and personal grooming under threat of a $172 fine in their new Distracted Driving Amendment Act. (Hands-free phones are okay.)  Their motivation is noble, to be sure.  But if the act of talking is, itself, a huge distraction, will this new legislation, if passed really make the roads a whole lot safer?  And I’m not just saying that because I apply lipstick every time I get in the driver’s seat. 

I guess I should just be grateful that no legislator has every sat among my kids during one of our road trips.  Some things he might observe the driver do are:

• Reach a hand back into a cooler for snacks and then toss them backward toward the kids,
• Twist his neck to give the stinker eye to a badly behaved child,
• Engage in lively conversation with spouse seated beside him, which may or may not include heated discussion about the directions,
• Rifle through a stack of DVDs to find Ice Age 3, then open case and provide verbal directions to seven year old on how to work DVD player,
• Rip open a bag of potato chips with his teeth.

There is a very strong likelihood that a bill would soon be introduced that bans kids from sitting in cars.  Hmmm.  Either that, or provide a nanny to keep the kids in order.  Now that’s an idea I could drive with.

Share on Facebook