While many drivers equate distraction strictly with text messaging, traffic safety educators are highlighting the four distinct types of distractions that compromise road safety: Visual, Manual, Cognitive and Auditory.
Safety advocates break down the four categories as follows:
- Visual Distractions: Taking your eyes off the road. Examples include checking navigation screens, reading a text, or looking at passengers in the backseat.
- Manual Distractions: Taking your hands off the steering wheel. Examples include reaching for dropped items, adjusting climate controls, eating, or holding a phone.
- Cognitive Distractions: Taking your mind off driving. Examples include hands-free phone conversations, daydreaming, or emotional arguments while operating a vehicle.
- Auditory Distractions: Taking your hearing and focus off ambient traffic sounds. Examples include listening to loud music, wearing headphones while driving, or listening to incoming phone notifications.
Texting is considered particularly dangerous because it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions simultaneously—causing drivers to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off driving.
“Understanding how distractions work is the first step toward stopping them,” said Lucy Stout, Commute Options Communications Specialist. “Before putting your car in gear, silence notifications, set your GPS, and commit to giving the road your full attention.”
For driver safety resources and instructional tools, visit commuteoptions.org/distracted-driving.
This project was supported by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Oregon Department of Transportation, awarded to Commute Options.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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