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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

How your learner can manage the distraction of passengers

Passengers and your learner's mental workload

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Distractions and driving in stage four

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

Being distracted from driving increases your learner's chance of having a crash. 

As a solo driver, they’ll likely drive with music or talk with passengers.

Their aim is to focus their attention on driving and not be distracted by visual, physical or mental distractions.

Types of distractions in stage four

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Adjusting 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 phone call.

 

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Receiving a message.

 

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Managing distractions

As your learner is rehearsing to drive solo, they'll need to manage a range of distractions that could potentially take their focus off driving.

Strategies to manage distractions in stage four
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The situation:

Your learner is trying to drive with loose objects in the vehicle.

They can:

Secure any loose objects before they start driving.

Pull over and put them away.

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

Learners, P1 and P2 probationary licence holders are permitted to use a phone or other device ONLY if set up BEFORE DRIVING and ONLY:

  • For navigation and to play or stream audio material.
  • If mounted in a commercial holder while driving.

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.
  • Change the audio once it has been set up before driving, unless they make simple adjustments (e.g. volume) only using an inbuilt device.
  • Interact with text messages in ANY way.

Some ways your learner can manage their mobile are to:

  • Turn phone to silent and put it away and out of reach.
  • Divert your calls to voicemail.
  • Use an inbuilt device to make simple audio adjustments and navigation adjustments.

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Passengers

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

Your learner needs to concentrate on driving, so it’s okay for them to tell passengers to settle down if they’re becoming a distraction.

How to manage the distraction of passengers

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Minimal conversation

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

Not distract your learner 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 any music on low

Keep music on low so they can focus on driving.
On their P1 licence, your learner can only carry one peer passenger aged 16 to 22 years.
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Your learner's mental workload

Anything that distracts your learner when driving, increases their mental workload which affects their 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 your learner having a crash.