Some examples of Cognitive Distraction:
- Talking/texting on the phone
- Staring at wildlife/scenery
- Talking to people in the vehicle
- Reading billboards/signs
- Fiddling with the stereo
- Searching for an objects
Cognitive distraction and conversation
Driving while talking – on the phone or with someone in the vehicle — is complex, according to studies
done at the University of Iowa.
When the brain is engaged in conversation, it is:
- Absorbing information
- Overlaying what the person does and doesn’t know
- Preparing to construct a reply
Cognitive distraction and texting
Texting is the most alarming distraction.
Sending or reading a text takes the driver’s eyes off the road for 5
seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with
the driver’s eyes closed.
Avoiding cognitive distraction
To steer clear of cognitive distraction, the FMCSA recommends that CMV
drivers:
- Pay attention to the job of driving a truck.
- Avoid focusing on things that aren’t related to driving a truck.
