It’s really easy to become complacent, especially when you’re driving.
Many of us complete a lot of miles each year, often travelling on the same roads, and it becomes boring. But every now and again, something happens to snap you out of your laissez-faire attitude and provides a reality check.
Whether it’s a near miss, or an actual accident, driving should never be taken for granted and nor should your safety or that of other road users.
The recent example of Susan Noble is testament to that, where sending a text while driving contributed to the death of a man, landed her a three-year prison sentence and will see her disqualified from driving for six years.
She was texting a friend when she collided with a stationary vehicle which had pulled over because of a puncture.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I’m sure she now realises that the text she was sending really wasn’t that important.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel is an obvious and high profile distraction, but there are numerous others that could have the same consequences.
Eating and driving, reading a map or directions, playing around with the radio – all take your attention away from the road and are a risk.
For many drivers, what I’m telling you is basic, common sense stuff that you all know about. However, at some point, all drivers need a reminder of their responsibilities and how they should behave.
Complacency is a really dangerous thing that we are all guilty of at times and becoming too comfortable behind the wheel is a by-product.
The reality that this case demonstrates is that whatever the distraction, it’s simply not worth it.
No call, text, or any other activity is worth the consequences that you, and others, may face from an error of judgment. Examples like this, should act as a reminder to us all.
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