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    Distractions in stage four

    Learn how to manage distractions in stage four.

In this topic

Distractions and driving in stage four

Types of distractions in stage four

Strategies to manage distractions in stage four

Mobiles and devices

Video: What happened to Karla? 

Passengers

Managing the distractions of passengers

Passengers and your mental workload

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Distractions and driving in stage four

Knowing what sorts of activities can cause distractions while driving and knowing how to manage them is part of being a safe driver.

Being distracted from driving increases your chance of having a crash.
 
Your aim is to focus your attention on driving and not be distracted by visual, physical or mental distractions.

Types of distractions in stage four

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Adjusting the heater/air con.

 

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Adjusting music on the radio.

 

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Navigating to a place.

 

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Conversations with passengers.

 

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Receiving a message.

 

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Receiving a phone call.

 

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Managing distractions in stage four

As you’re rehearsing to drive solo, you’ll need to manage a range of distractions that could potentially take your focus off driving.

Strategies to manage distractions in stage four
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The situation:

You're driving with loose objects in the vehicle.

Strategy:

Secure any loose objects before you start driving.

Pull over and put them away.

Taking your eyes off the road environment for just two seconds doubles your crash risk.
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Mobiles and devices

Using a mobile phone or device while driving is illegal except when securely mounted, and set up BEFORE DRIVING to play or stream audio material and/or provide navigation directions.

Learner and probationary drivers CANNOT:

  • Touch a phone, other portable, mounted or wearable devices (including motorcycle helmet devices) whilst driving.
  • Use voice commands whilst driving.
  • Briefly adjust the audio while driving, unless by using an inbuilt device. 
  • Interact with text messages in ANY way.

Some ways to manage:

  • Turn phone to silent and put it away and out of reach.
  • Divert your calls to voicemail.
  • Pull over and park to respond to text messages.
  • Use inbuilt devices only to make simple audio adjustments and navigation adjustments when driving. Scrolling, entering numbers or text is not permitted.

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Passengers

Let your passengers know how important it is they let you focus on driving by minimising distractions.

You need to concentrate on driving, so it’s okay to tell your passengers to settle down if they’re becoming a distraction.

Managing the distraction of passengers

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Minimal conversations

Keep conversations to minimum and talk quietly.
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Put phones on silent

Not distract you with their mobiles.
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Keep quiet in busy areas

Stay quiet in busy areas or heavy traffic.
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Keep their music on low

Tell them to keep music on low so you can focus on driving.
On your P1 licence, you can only carry one peer passenger aged 16 to 22 years.
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Passengers and your mental workload

Anything that distracts you when driving, increases your mental workload which affects your ability to notice changes in the environment.

Having more than one passenger in the car can be very distracting for an inexperienced driver, especially if the passenger is under the influence of alcohol. 

This type of situation significantly increases the chance of having a crash.