There are many things inside and outside the vehicle that can cause a driver’s attention to be diverted such as mobile phones,  passengers, eating, everyday life, work pressures, other road users and in-vehicle technology.

When a driver’s attention is diverted towards another activity, they become distracted, which could result in loss of control of
the vehicle leading to a collision.

If you are an employer who has employees in a driving role,  it would be advisable to provide your employees with information on the cause and effects of distraction while driving, how to recognise when they are distracted, have a greater awareness of driving in a shared space and the impact on other road users (in particular, vulnerable road users).

Steps you can take to stay focused while driving:

• Recognise what makes you distracted – for example, eating or changing music.
• Concentrate on driving – distractions are inevitable and the trick is to refocus quickly.
• Use technology sensibly – take steps to change the settings on communications, infotainment and navigation systems to reduce the level of distraction they cause. Set the navigation system before you start your journey.
• Plan your route – advance planning will give you a better chance of staying focused on the road rather than your navigational device.

Don’t multitask, concentrate on driving.