If you are like most people, you probably take the exact same route to work or school every day. You likely follow the same roads to your favorite grocery store and back home again each time you make the trip. Humans are creatures of habit, and knowing a route can make the drive less stressful for you during your commute.
Unfortunately, once you become familiar with a road, you are more likely to attempt to multitask or otherwise distract yourself from the very dangerous job of driving. Cognitive or internal distraction is one of the three serious forms of driver distraction.
Teaching yourself that you need to stay focused on the job at hand is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of a crash related to internal distraction.
Familiar roads and pleasant weather can be a dangerous combination
It’s a sunny day in the spring or summer. You have your windows rolled down and are on your way to a familiar destination. It feels like you don’t have a care in the world. Most people would imagine that a familiar road in good weather conditions would be the last place that an accident could happen.
However, those circumstances might lead to an individual feeling overconfident in the safety of their situation. The end result could be distraction via a pleasant daydream. Whether you plan a trip to the beach in your head or simply rehash the movie you watched last night, focusing on something in your mind instead of on the road in front of you could prove a dangerous mistake.
Safe drivers take steps to avoid all kinds of distraction
Other than maintaining your vehicle and adjusting your driving habits for road conditions, staying focused on the job of driving is the most important thing you can do to stay safe on the road. Drivers really need to do everything in their power to avoid taking their hands off the wheels of their cars, their eyes off the road in front of them and their minds off the task at hand.
The longer your commute, the more dull it may seem to stay focused on controlling your vehicle every second of the trip. Unfortunately, letting your mind wander could also result in letting your tires wander. Don’t risk your own safety and the safety of other people just because you don’t want to feel bored for a little while.
The safest thing for you and everyone else on the road is for you to stay alert and attentive. For those who believe they got hurt as a result of someone else’s distraction, it may be time to consider a civil lawsuit against the driver responsible for the collision.