Beware of distracted driving

Beware of distracted driving


 
Beware of distracted driving
Did you know that inattentiveness overtook alcohol as the cause of traffic accidents (speeding remains the root cause). And looking at modern vehicles, this trend is not about to abate. So how to do prevention. The CAA-Quebec foundation recently created the CAP program to try to curb this tendency to distraction on board. The C stands for understanding your in-car system. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the electronics on board so that you are not constantly trying to figure out which controls to use thus reducing the time or your eyes leaving the road. The A is for associating your electronic devices, namely your smartphone. Thus, when you take your seat on board, the connection is made automatically. If other devices need to be plugged in, do so before you go and the same if you have CapPlay or Android Auto which requires the power cable to be plugged in to be functional. Finally the P is for programming. Once your devices are connected, if you have for example to enter an address for a destination with the GPS, it must be done before starting. Same principle for your music list or other car function such as air conditioning or heating. Everything you can do before you hit the road should be sorted out to avoid distractions while you are riding as much as possible. Until the voice recognition systems are really effective and integrated systems prevent you from texting while driving, you will still need to be vigilant. Since many infotainment systems are very imperfect, it will take a few more steps in complexity before we see any real simpler solutions. So remember that in a car you should always keep your hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road.