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Have you ever found yourself wondering how you got somewhere? I find that I’ve driven back and forth to my place of employment so many times that sometimes I wonder just how I got there– or have trouble trying to remember the route I took!
Believe it or not, it’s a common occurrence to find oneself thinking or concentrating on other things besides the road ahead:
Research from car insurer More Than found one in five drivers admit to concentrating behind the wheel less than 75 percent of the time, with 1.2 million thinking mostly about sex.
And sex wasn’t the only non-traffic thoughts motorists have. For 3.2 million drivers work was the main focus and for 2 million more it was family issues that dominated.
So, next time you’re out for a drive, try to pay attention to what’s going on in front and around you instead of trying to plan that next big meal or trying to get the toy little Susie just dropped on the floor.
This is funny, I’m so bad about multi-tasking in the car. I grab the girls’ spelling or math books and quiz them orally while on the way to town (ten minutes away)…we sing, we play The Minister’s Cat, word games, do story rounds, and when I’m by myself…I have epiphanies–such as the one I shared recently on my blog…the Anything Less Than Hell is a Privilege post.
What would we ever do without commute time in the car!? Most places we travel to (church and homeschool co-op–at least 3-4 times a week, are a half hour away.
As the Mother of a long-haul truck driver (my deceased Husband was also a long-hauler), I can FOR SURE tell you that the research figures are WAY low. People are not paying attention, they are doing some VERY strange things while on the road and if you aren’t concentrating you are putting your life and the lives of others in jeopardy. PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE stop multi-tasking while you drive. Leave earlier, stay off the phone and explain to your children that while only one parent is driving, car time is not play time. You might save your life and the lives of others.
I know that people do lots of things to get trucker’s attention. I also know that I’ve been caught on occasion wondering why I looked at the CD player whatever and thanking God I didn’t get in an accident.
When I was first learning to drive I used to turn down the radio, and my dad asked me why, and it was so that I could pay better attention. Now, I’m amazed at what I’ll try to do as well.
Not always, but often, I pray as I drive. Is that distracting or an added benefit of protection???
Praying is good no matter where or when, and I find myself praying at red lights. If you’re driving and praying just please don’t close your eyes!! Another great place to pray is in the line at a grocery store. I say some of my “thank you” prayers instead of getting upset about waiting in line and it has nearly always prompted a comment from some else in line, and given me the great opportunity to share. People always say, “What a great idea”.
I travel 45 miles to and from work, so I usually use that time catching up with family and friends on the phone – yes I’m a cell phone driver. Otherwise, I get in these moods and “zone out” probably not good while driving, but I’m usually planning out my work day or thinking about what I’ll pack in my gym bag to wear at work the next day. Like Carol, I have been known to use that time for praying or listening to devotionals! With Christmas music on the radio you’ll find me singing carols!
I need something going on while I drive. I will either use the cell phone to catch up on calls…but ALWAYS with a bluetooth headset. I find that is no different than talking with another person in the car.
If I don’t do that, then I have sermons and podcasts (Paul Washer, Al Mohler, Kevin Swanson, John Piper) on my ipod to listen to. I virtually never listen to the radio.
Charley
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