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Anything that diverts your attention from the road, such as texting, making phone calls, or changing the radio station is considered distracted driving. In 2015, 10% of fatal crashes and 15% of injury crashes were a result of this behavior. Young people who are learning to drive for the first time need to be aware of the dangers of distractions behind the wheel and develop defensive driving techniques to keep themselves and others safe on the road.

Your Guide to Distracted Driving

1. The Three Types

Traffic safety professionals recognize three types of distracted driving: manual, visual, and cognitive. Manual is moving your hands away from the wheel, visual is taking your eyes off the road, and cognitive is when your mind isn’t focused on driving. Texting incorporates all three types, making it one of the most dangerous activities on the road.

2. How Technology Can Help

defensive drivingHands-free technology is not a risk-free solution for drivers. Fortunately, companies are creating applications to help encourage defensive driving. These include eye-tracking technology to alert you if you become distracted on the road, and mobile blocking applications that prohibit texts and calls to create a virtual barrier between you and your device.

3. The Laws in Your State

Every state has different traffic safety laws. Last year, New York cracked down on distracted driving, creating hefty fines for offenses and even license suspension for probationary and junior drivers. Since it’s a primary law, a police officer can stop you if they see that you’re distracted, whether you’re talking on your cellphone or texting.

 

Learn the proper defensive driving and safety techniques with help from Morgan School of Driving with locations in Rochester, Greece, and Fairport, NY. With over 400,000 students enrolled since 1943, they offer convenient scheduling options, home pickup service, and a road test car to make it easier for students to get the training they need behind the wheel. You may learn more by calling one of their offices.

Rochester Office  585-288-6290. Greece Office 585-227-9010           Fairport Office 585-425-2410

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