Chair’s message
SPrInG 2018
Volume 44, number 1
Editor-in-Chief Kellie Davenport
CAA Saskatchewan Editor
Christine niemczyk
Associate Editor Craig Moy
Art Director Gary Davidson
Associate Art Director Dan Parsons
How to avoid distracted driving to make
our roads safer for everyone
As A pArent of young
children, my
family’s schedule requires daily
driving. I know how easy it can be
to get distracted behind the wheel.
Conversations with kids, pets in the
car, buzzing phones, adjusting the
navigation system, loud music, sipping
that morning cup of coffee—they’re
all distractions that can take our eyes
and our minds off the road.
A lot of research has been con-
ducted on this issue. According to
DistractedDriverAccidents.com,
we are all guilty at some point, be it
multitasking while sitting in traffic
or sneaking in a bite of a doughnut.
Did you know that drinking a
beverage while driving distracts you
for 6.3 seconds when travelling at
100 kilometres per hour? That’s the
equivalent of driving three hockey
rinks, end-to-end, while distracted.
As a dedicated road safety advocate,
CAA has completed extensive research
about distracted driving and the results
are disturbing. Drivers engaged in the
following distractions are more likely to
be in a crash or a near-collision event
compared to non-distracted drivers:
• Texting – 23 times more likely
• Reaching for an object – nine
times more likely
• Talking on the phone – up to five
times more likely
• Applying make-up – three times
more likely
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Spring 2018
caa SaSkatchewan
The research also reveals simple tips
to help us all become non-distracted
drivers. Before you turn the key, allow
yourself plenty of travel time, stow
and secure loose objects, and prepare
children with everything they need
before driving. If something comes up
while you’re driving, park the vehicle
when it’s safe to do so and address the
situation that requires your attention.
On the road, keep two hands on the
wheel at all times, and avoid eating or
drinking while driving. Don’t brush
your hair, floss your teeth or fix your
make-up. Avoid texting, using apps or
reading emails.
Even when you follow these rules,
some distractions may be unavoidable.
But eliminating preventable distrac-
tions before we get behind the wheel
not only makes driving less stressful,
it can also save lives. It’s something
worth t