Distracted

Driver distraction is defined as anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off driving. All drivers engage in distracting activity while they are driving, and this includes distractions both inside and outside of the vehicle. Calming a distressed child in the back seat, using maps, staring at a traffic incident or calling a friend are all activities that interfere with safe driving.

Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds triples the risk of a crash or near crash.

For example, when driving at 50km/hr, if you take your eyes off the road for two seconds, you’ll travel 28m.[1] The average person’s time to react to an event is 1.8 seconds.[2] This means nearly four seconds pass before the average distracted driver can react to a hazard, increasing their risk of a serious crash.

Distracted driving is dangerous for the driver, passengers, and other road users. On average, 29 Queenslanders die and 1284 are hospitalised every year due to crashes where distracted driving or riding plays a part.[3]

There are lots of things we can do to mitigate the likelihood of driving distracted.

People

Passengers can help when driving by identifying hazards or providing directions and adjusting climate controls or music. They also can help use trailer brakes in an emergency if the brake controller is situated in the centre of the vehicle. However, they can also be a distraction with noise and unwanted behaviour or encourage you to take risks such as speeding or breaking rules.

Driving solo can also create issues with drivers experiencing loneliness, boredom and declining vigilance, leading them to engage in secondary tasks.

Studies have shown driving in an emotional state raises crash risk by nearly ten-fold!

Drinking, eating, or smoking are all secondary tasks that distract from driving. If eating while driving interferes with a driver’s control of the vehicle, the driver may be committing an offence depending on the circumstances. All states and territories across Australia require the driver to have proper control of the vehicle.

In NSW, driver distraction is broadly covered under NSW Road Rule 297(1) which is a general road rule that states “a driver must not drive a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle”. As well as the dangers of driving under the influence, NSW Road Rule 298 (1) states that a driver must not consume alcohol while driving. This would apply regardless of whether the driver is under the limit.

Each state and territory have similar legislation. New Victorian road rules have recently come into effect to ensure that the legislation covers the increase of in-vehicle technologies and other technologies capable of distracting a driver.[4]

Animals

Australia wide – driving with your dog on your lap is an offence. As mentioned above, all states and territories in Australia require the driver to have proper control of the vehicle and the driver must have a clear unobstructed view of the road and traffic ahead, behind, and to each side of the driver.

The police can give a driver an infringement notice if your pet is jumping around the car, allowing a pet to hang out a car window, creating a distraction or causing the driver to not be in full control of the vehicle. It is an offence for your pet to obstruct your vision or distract you or other drivers.

There aren’t specific rules about a pet riding secured in the front passenger seat; however, please be mindful that airbags deploy with a lot of force that can seriously injure or even kill a dog.

Similarly, road rules do not specifically require an animal to be restrained with a harness or seatbelt tether while travelling inside a vehicle. However, the merits of restraining your dog/s whilst in the car are quite clear. Not only for their safety but that of the driver and other passengers travelling in the car.

Legislation in all Australian states and territories specifically prohibits people from transporting dogs unrestrained on the back of utes or other open vehicles or trailers.[5] Dogs must be by some means, enclosed or restrained to prevent the dog from escaping or falling from a stationary or moving vehicle (other than a dog being used to work livestock).

Mobile Phone

Mobile phones are the most well-known distractor whilst driving. With a full driver’s licence there are only two ways you can use a mobile phone whilst driving:

Hands-free – you can only use your phone hands-free (without touching it) to:

• make or receive voice calls
• play audio, for example, music and podcasts.

In a phone holder – you can only use and touch your phone to:

• make or receive voice calls
• play audio, for example, music and podcasts
• use as a driver’s aid, for example, maps and navigation apps or dispatch systems.

Phone holders must be commercially manufactured and fixed to your vehicle and must not obscure your vision.

You must not use a mobile phone while driving for any other function. This includes:

• texting
• video calls
• emailing
• social media
• using the internet
• photography.

When driving, you must not hold a mobile phone in your hand, rest on your leg, be between your shoulder and ear or any other part of your body. The phone doesn’t need to be turned on to be an offence.

Digital Screens & GPS

Digital screens include devices such as tablets and laptops as well as dashboard screens.

You must not drive with a digital screen on if you can see it, or it may distract another driver, unless you’re using it as a driver’s aid. In this case, it must be in a holder fixed to the vehicle or built into the vehicle.

Driver’s aid include:

• navigation devices, for example, GPS
• dispatch systems
• reversing screens
• CCTV security cameras
• vehicle monitoring devices.

Your passengers can use digital screens, but the screens must not:

• be visible to you from the normal driving position
• distract another driver.

Reversing (rearview) cameras are a must have safety feature to have when reversing. Reversing technologies such as cameras or sensors have been shown to reduce pedestrian crashed by between 31% and 41%.[6] Cameras should engage when the vehicle is put into reverse. Cameras that are on constantly can be considered a driving distraction and should be turned off. Also note, that a rear-view camera cannot replace mirrors, including extended mirrors when towing.

What can you do?

• Take care of your body and mind. Ask yourself: Am I in my optimal condition to drive?
• Know your needs and habits when driving. Are they supporting your safety?
• Recognise distractions (e.g. phone ringing, talking passengers) and say ‘not now’
• Put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ while you’re driving
• Set up and start your GPS, music or podcast before you start driving
• Set up a phone cradle attached to the vehicle in a safe place for hands-free permitted uses
• Give yourself enough time before you leave to put on makeup, shave or do your hair
• Make it a rule to never eat or keep snacks in your car
• Ensure that children and pets are safely restrained
• Plan for safe stops where you can rest, stretch, take a break, and reenergise.

Tips for passengers

• Avoid stressful or emotional conversations with drivers
• Assist with identifying potential hazards
• Respect the driver’s need to concentrate.

Resource references

[1] https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/warnings-and-hazards/driving-distractions
[2] https://dtmr-jointhedrive.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/30115735/Distractions-Fact-Sheet-July-2023.pdf
[3] https://www.racq.com.au/about-us/advocacy/road-safety-priorities/distraction-and-inattention
[4] https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/new-vic-road-rules-2023/full-licence-drivers
[5] https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/is-it-legal-to-have-unrestrained-dogs-on-ute-trays-or-other-open-vehicles/
[6] https://howsafeisyourcar.com.au/safety-features/reversing-camera