See Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Phone While Driving
By: Abdullahi Adamu
It seems that many people have not been deterred from using their phone while driving, even though the dangers of doing so have been extensively covered in the media for the nations that have outlawed hand-held use. In a joint survey conducted in 2014 by the road safety charity Brake and Direct Line insurance, 45% of respondents said they had ever spoken on a mobile phone.
It is obvious that using a hand-held device to text or call causes a physical distraction, such as removing one hand from the steering wheel; however, the cognitive distraction of being on a hands-free call is frequently overlooked by many. Multitasking is mentally demanding; studies have shown that it reduces concentration and impairs decision-making abilities.
The temptation to use a mobile phone is arguably greater than ever, given the wide range of applications that are now easily accessible on your mobile device, as well as the resulting increase in notifications that appear on your screen. Even the most cautious drivers can become distracted by a phone call or text. That split-second lapse in concentration as you check the notification could easily lead to an accident.
Mood can influence our daily behavior, and people frequently try to reinforce or change their mood, such as by listening to music. Music listening while driving is a popular pastime. However, little is known about how listening to music while driving affects physiological state and driving performance. S
Listening to music affects multiple areas of the brain and the effect it has can change based on the types of music. Music can actually influence how you view the world around you – listening to a happy piece of music will often see you respond to a neutral situation in a positive way, whereas listening to sad music will often make you see that same situation in a negative way.
Even positive emotions, such as excitement can be dangerous while driving, leading to speeding and missing important driving cues – the ultimate goal is to get yourself in a good, focused, neutral mood.
Songs with lyrics compete with brain activity – you are either trying to remember the lyrics or take them in as you drive, taking away mental focus from the road. Drivers, generally, are not aware that as they get drawn-in by a song, their brain moves from focussing on driving tasks into a state of active music listening.
In fact, a study carried out by Monash University in Malaysia demonstrated that the time young drivers spent with their eyes off the road increased by a staggering 400% when sending and receiving text messages. Driving while distracted can result in a wide range of errors, and it could be fatal.
