Car accidents and driver distractions: if you're distracted, you're more likely to crash

It's pretty well-known that driver distractions cause car accidents and that a distracted driver is more likely to have a road traffic accident.

Some amount of distraction can not be avoided, but by paying close attention to road traffic accident conditions, distractions inside and outside the car and warning signs of a potential car accident, drivers can minimise the possibilities of a crash.

Minimising distractions inside the car to avoid car accidents

• Use of mobile phones: although UK law makes it perfectly clear that people should not use mobile phones whilst driving their cars and instead should should remote systems, people continue to use mobiles in their hands.

• Applying make-up: An astonishingly high percentage of women apply make up while they drive, often using the rear-view mirror to do so. This is an obvious driving hazard.

• Car TV and radio: Music and radios played at an excessively high volume can prevent a driver from hearing sounds from another vehicle on the road. If you listen to the radio, keep the sound down. Watching a TV while driving is obviously something you should never do.

• Children: Parents can be easily distracting by children trying to get their attention, especially if they are bored or upset. They can also yell out words like "stop!" which may make the driver brake suddenly.

• Items which are dropped on the floor of the car: Picking up dislodged items can cause a driver to temporarily let go of the steering wheel. Worse still, some items can get stuck under the pedals. Try to make sure your car is as free as clutter as you can at all times.

• Eating: Coffee and food is a constant distraction, especially if drinks spill and sandwiches with hot contents fall apart. If you're hungry, stop, eat and then continue on your journey.

• Tiredness: Falling asleep at the wheel is a major hazard. Take regular breaks, drink coffee, and make sure you stop if you are feeling even slightly dozy. Remember, it only takes a few seconds to fall asleep.

• Reading maps: install a tom-tom and plan your route before you get on the road.

• Billboards, flashing lights and road side distractions: billboards, flashing lights and Christmas decorations can all be extremely distracting.

Distractions outside the car

• Farming vehicles: Watch out for bundles of hay falling off farming vehicles.

• Construction zones: Take care when driving through construction zones.

• Pedestrians: In crowded urban areas, pedestrians stepping out on to the road can create an immediate hazard.

• Emergency vehicles: Ambulance, fire engines and any other kind of emergency vehicle can distract a driver with lights and sirens.

• Traffic jams: Stop-start activity and other driver behaviour can cause distractions and altercations. Keep your mind focused on your own road journey. 

• Watching items outside the car: the scenery, animals and other natural phenomena can be distracting to drivers.

• Jack-rabbit starts: Failing to observe what is outside the car and starting suddenly at junctions can create hazards.

If a driver loses their concentration, even for a split second, the results can be disastrous. Weather and road conditions can add to the amount of hazards, and increase the chances of a car accident causing personal injuries that result in a compensation claim.

During a typical rush hour, the average driver has to keep track of about 3000 different items including traffic lights, other vehicles, passengers and pedestrians. A fighter pilot only has about 300 items to relate to and consider during a normal non-combat mission.

Driving safely demands 100 % attention, 100 % of the time. Daydreaming, watching storms or internally reviewing conversations we've had with people can also take up cognitive space.

To avoid getting distracted and having a car accident causing personal injuries, drivers can exercise control over their instincts by becoming more aware, staying calm and avoiding "high-anger" behaviour.

"High anger" behaviour is a term invented by psychologists to describe people who mutate from calm, peaceful, reasonable people to warriors behind the wheel - yelling obscenities, gesturing wildly and swerving in and out of traffic.