What Can Happen While You're Looking Away?

A road can change quickly.

You may be driving normally when traffic begins to slow. A car could move out from a side street. Someone may approach a pedestrian crossing. A cyclist could change position.

Now imagine that you are not watching the road because you are checking something inside the car.

At 60 km/h, two seconds is enough to travel around 33 metres. That means a short distraction can cover a surprisingly large section of road before you return your full attention to driving.

This is why drivers need to think about more than just mobile phones. Eating, reaching for objects, adjusting controls, and getting caught up in a conversation can all affect concentration.

Learners can reduce these risks by preparing before they start driving. They can also practise scanning ahead and keeping enough space from other vehicles, giving themselves more opportunity to react when conditions change.

Staying focused is a skill that develops through practice. The article explores what those two seconds really mean and how drivers can manage distractions: https://onroad.com.au/Blog/Two-Seconds-of-Distraction-Can-Double-Your-Crash-Risk