Does this apply to you? New studies have shown that drivers dealing with negative and even positive emotions tend to exhibit a distraction level of attention while behind the wheel. Researchers believe emotions may play an even greater role in attention than cell phone use.
Surges of emotions can cause otherwise excellent drivers to:
- Experience impaired observation and reaction times.
- Fail to recognize situations around the vehicle. For example: slowing of traffic, pot holes, debris in lane
- Clouded ability to predict or to determine what the other drivers around us are doing.
- Make risky maneuvers and risky changes. For example: quick lane changes without taking cars around vehicle into account
- Lose the ability to rely on judgment of timing and other subtle skills.
- Feel like segregated from other drivers, vehicles, and conditions on the road.
Keeping emotions in control makes a huge difference to driver and surrounding vehicles safety. Penske Automotive Group realizes emotions account for small percentage of distracted driving. Bigger culprits include eating, reading, map consulting, Internet surfing, applying makeup, or holding your pets while you are driving. Try to avoid these negative driving influences at all costs.
If you use a cell phone and find that you must talk, use a hands-free device while you are driving and keep the calls short and at an absolute minimum.
Remember as long as you are moving, your attention should be on the road and traffic at all times and not diluted by distractions or strong emotions. Penske Automotive Group wants to make sure you get to your destination safely.
