Types of Distractions While Driving and Hands-On Learning Tools

Here are a few types of distractions while driving, along with hands-on learning opportunities to help drivers understand these distractions.

Driving while distracted is dangerous for anyone behind the wheel, and it’s especially important to teach young or new drivers about the importance of keeping eyes on the road. Teaching them about the various ways of being distracted in a vehicle can help them understand the risks and dangers to themselves and others while on the road. We’ll take a look at some of the common types of distractions while driving, and offer resources like the Fatal Vision Drowsy and Distracted Goggle Kit activities to help them learn hands-on about the dangers of distracted driving.

Visual Distractions

Teaching students or young drivers about visual distractions can include discussing GPS systems, texting or phone usage, and using your car’s entertainment system, among other topics. In addition to citing sources and statistics to reinforce the message about dangerous driving, using hands-on learning tools like the Fatal Vision Distract-a-Match activity with the Drowsy and Distracted Goggles allows students to understand firsthand how distractions affect reaction time. Participants begin with a baseline task without the goggles and then repeat it with the goggles to experience the effects of distraction. These goggles have three impairment modes: Distracted Dial, which blacks out the goggles every three seconds; Distracted Text, which blacks out for 4.6 seconds; and Drowsy, which gradually increases blackouts to ten seconds. Using a Drowsy and Distracted Goggle Kit in an education program allows participants to safely experience simulated impairments and understand their potential consequences.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions in a vehicle can include eating, searching for an item, adjusting the radio, or anything else that physically takes the driver’s hands off the steering wheel. This reduces reaction times and can lead to crashes. Using other Fatal Vision hands-on learning, like the DIES Distracted Driving Activity Mat with Drowsy and Distracted Goggles, can help them understand the difference between safe driving and distracted driving. Add the Real-Time Feedback System (RTFS) interactive steering wheel and guide mat, which takes the DIES Mat activity to the next level by delivering instant sound and vibration alerts for risky actions taken during the activity, like drifting off the road, speeding, or failing to stop. These insights spark meaningful discussion about how drowsy and distracted driving can lead to life-threatening consequences.

Cognitive Distractions

This type of distracted driving includes activities that mentally take the driver’s focus off the road. Daydreaming, driving while tired or drowsy, talking on the phone (even hands-free), or other activities that shift focus from driving to something else can be dangerous. Drowsy and Distracted Driving Goggles and Activities are a great way to facilitate conversations with students about the importance of being mentally prepared and ready to drive or taking breaks on long trips if needed.

External Distractions

These types of distractions can be construction happening on the road, loud passengers in the car, poor weather conditions, or roadside distractions. These can be difficult to mitigate, but it’s important to discuss how to handle these types of situations with new or young drivers.

How to Recognize and Avoid Distractions While Driving

The SIDNE (Simulated Impaired Driving Experience) Package and Roadster Pedal Kart Packages are also great tools for a driving education program. These packages take learning to the next level by having students take the wheel in a safe and controlled environment. Consider using driving simulations and other hands-on learning tools to facilitate discussions with students about what types of distractions they may encounter while they’re driving.

To reinforce what they’ve learned, ask students to create a list of strategies to stay focused while driving, such as:

• Putting phones on Do Not Disturb mode
• Staying alert to road and weather conditions
• Keeping music and conversations at a moderate volume
• Pulling over to rest if feeling tired
• Planning routes ahead of time to avoid last-minute decisions

Using hands-on learning opportunities can help students or new drivers recognize the importance of avoiding distractions while behind the wheel. A great way to keep this lesson top-of-mind is to use banners and posters to remind students of the dangers of distracted driving.

Using the Fatal Vision lineup of Drowsy and Distracted Driving Goggles and Activities, your students will be better prepared for real-world scenarios. To get started on adding Fatal Vision tools to your driving education program, reach out to our team.