Did you know that driving a vehicle doesn’t mix with drinking, eating, reading, feeling around for something, and anything else other than paying attention to the road?

Most, if not all drivers are guilty of handling an automobile without due care and attention at some point in their lives. Some do it as often as they are in control of a car.

Sometimes I, like so many millions of other drivers- find myself smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee as the auto practically steers itself. We have been reminded recently about how fatal such activities can be.

According to a study by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, about 284,000 distracted drivers will be involve in serious crashes this year. Almost 30% will be preoccupied by something outside the vehicle. For about 11%, the diversion will be adjusting the radio/cassette/CD, and another occupant of the vehicle will distract 10%.

"We've known for years that drivers contribute more to causing crashes than the vehicle or the roadway," said Robert J. Breitenbach, director of VCU's Transportation Safety Training Center. "In many instances the driver error involves not paying attention to the driving task. We can now identify those distractions with some confidence."

Based on a recent Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles study the following was concluded: While cell phones have been widely criticized as the cause of distracted driving, they ranked sixth in the study's list of distracted driving behaviors. Looking at traffic, crashes and roadside incidents was the primary distraction in 16 percent of the crashes studied, followed by driver fatigue, 12 percent; looking at scenery, 10 percent; passenger and child distractions, nine percent; and adjusting the radio, CD or tape player, seven percent. Cell phones were cited as the primary distraction in slightly more than five percent of the crashes studied. Distractions inside the vehicle accounted for 62 percent of all the crashes studies.

The latest studies on distracted drivers have made me, and millions of others- more alert to our possibly deadly activities on the road. As a consequence- thousands of potential accidents have already been avoided.

It is hoped that more among us continue to receive the latest news on the dangerous things that we do while operating a car- so that the resolutions to shape up could continue to increase- thereby decreasing the possibility of avoidable crashes in The Bahamas, and everywhere that people enjoy the pleasure the road.

www.DennisDames.com

First bahamians need to take a driving test again, as almost all bahamians c annot drive a vehicle anyway, and cant take corners or handle their vehicles. There needs to be a ratake of all driving tests, and to 1st world standards, as most people got their licences from a small payoff.

Originally posted by zephyr
Did you know that driving a vehicle doesn’t mix with drinking, eating, reading, feeling around for something, and anything else other than paying attention to the road?

Most, if not all drivers are guilty of handling an automobile without due care and attention at some point in their lives. Some do it as often as they are in control of a car.

Sometimes I, like so many millions of other drivers- find myself smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee as the auto practically steers itself. We have been reminded recently about how fatal such activities can be.

According to a study by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, about 284,000 distracted drivers will be involve in serious crashes this year. Almost 30% will be preoccupied by something outside the vehicle. For about 11%, the diversion will be adjusting the radio/cassette/CD, and another occupant of the vehicle will distract 10%.

"We've known for years that drivers contribute more to causing crashes than the vehicle or the roadway," said Robert J. Breitenbach, director of VCU's Transportation Safety Training Center. "In many instances the driver error involves not paying attention to the driving task. We can now identify those distractions with some confidence."

Based on a recent Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles study the following was concluded: While cell phones have been widely criticized as the cause of distracted driving, they ranked sixth in the study's list of distracted driving behaviors. Looking at traffic, crashes and roadside incidents was the primary distraction in 16 percent of the crashes studied, followed by driver fatigue, 12 percent; looking at scenery, 10 percent; passenger and child distractions, nine percent; and adjusting the radio, CD or tape player, seven percent. Cell phones were cited as the primary distraction in slightly more than five percent of the crashes studied. Distractions inside the vehicle accounted for 62 percent of all the crashes studies.

The latest studies on distracted drivers have made me, and millions of others- more alert to our possibly deadly activities on the road. As a consequence- thousands of potential accidents have already been avoided.

It is hoped that more among us continue to receive the latest news on the dangerous things that we do while operating a car- so that the resolutions to shape up could continue to increase- thereby decreasing the possibility of avoidable crashes in The Bahamas, and everywhere that people enjoy the pleasure the road.

www.Dennis.web.com

YOU ARE RIGHT ON IT DENNIS, I TOO AM SO GUILTY OF SOME OF THOSE DISTRACTIONS, AND MANY TIME WHEN I TAKE MY EYES OF THE ROAD FOR JUST A SECOND I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALL:o
EATING WHILE DRIVING IS A BIG DISTRACTION, I HAVE EVEN SEEN WOMEN PUTTING ON MAKEUP [ I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT ONE YET, THANK GOODNESS], IT IS A SERIOUS THING THOUGH, HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW YOUR POST.
BY THE WAY YOUR WEBSITE IS COOL.

Originally posted by candy45
YOU ARE RIGHT ON IT DENNIS, I TOO AM SO GUILTY OF SOME OF THOSE DISTRACTIONS, AND MANY TIME WHEN I TAKE MY EYES OF THE ROAD FOR JUST A SECOND I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALL:o
EATING WHILE DRIVING IS A BIG DISTRACTION, I HAVE EVEN SEEN WOMEN PUTTING ON MAKEUP [ I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT ONE YET, THANK GOODNESS], IT IS A SERIOUS THING THOUGH, HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW YOUR POST.
BY THE WAY YOUR WEBSITE IS COOL.

you forgot the bahamians favourite driving distraction (no not drugs or alchohol, but thats pretty close!) ... driving with kids with no seatbelts, jumping all over the center console!

Cool candy45... thanks for those very kind words, and yes- it is hoped that others are made aware somehow on the dangers of distractions when driving.

I am Delighted that you have enjoyed your visit to my site... and hope that you will return again soon...

Dennis




Originally posted by candy45
YOU ARE RIGHT ON IT DENNIS, I TOO AM SO GUILTY OF SOME OF THOSE DISTRACTIONS, AND MANY TIME WHEN I TAKE MY EYES OF THE ROAD FOR JUST A SECOND I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALL:o
EATING WHILE DRIVING IS A BIG DISTRACTION, I HAVE EVEN SEEN WOMEN PUTTING ON MAKEUP [ I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT ONE YET, THANK GOODNESS], IT IS A SERIOUS THING THOUGH, HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW YOUR POST.
BY THE WAY YOUR WEBSITE IS COOL.

in a few months i'm going to turn 18 and apply for my license, but i'm still a little apprehensive about driving on the roads of new providence because the recklessness i witness as a passenger on a daily basis...alot of it comes from speed demons that love to over take one another as if they're the only ones with places to go..or those that like to drive as if they're in the movie the fast and the furious (which i loved) i dont know if it adds to anything but alot of these cars are being modified to gain alot of power and add that to a light frame such as the many hondas out there you will get very fast machines that are being driven by mostly very young drivers..basically we just need to exert self control..

It is regrettable, and dangerous, that most people drive as if driving were the least important thing that they are doing at the time. They are busy talking (on the phone or other wise.) Eating, Etc. I have even seen a person reading as he drove!!!!

There is a law to cover this. It is called "driving without due care and attention." It is an offence. :hammer: However, in order to catch them at it we need the police patrolling the roads. There is nothing like the presence of a motorcycle cop to keep us honest. Yet, sometimes it is possible to drive for MONTHS and never see a cop of any kind! Traffic police need to be IN traffic - no where else!! Until that day comes we can be sure that our roads will become more and more dangerous. All we can do is make sure we do not contribute to the mess. Hang up the phone, put that sandwich down and concentrate on the job at hand - DRIVING!!

PS k.o.o.l.b.o.n.z.e. I think you will make a good driver. You are aware of the danger. To many of your age are not. :tup:

what does one do on this Island to prevent others from taking one's lives? Unless someone is dead, then they have their hands up in the air accusing others of their faults and trying to make other's believe that someone else is in the wrong............

People (not ALL) on the Island DO NOT VALUE their life or the lives of others............
I'm a survivor of a fatal car accident, here on the island, that could have been prevented If only the individual who caused the accident took time to STOP AT A STOP SIGN and wait for oncoming traffic to pass by ............
Someone said it best the other day " Bahamians are in a hurry to be LATE " ..............
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I'd like to be a " Spokes Person " for others, to wear seat belts and be better drivers.
I've been looking for resources here on the island, but so far I have been hitting :realmad:.........
Let me know IF OTHERS OUT THERE have been in Fatal Car Accidents here on the Island, by fault of others, we need a GROUP to be VOCAL*
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Why is it so difficult for drivers to USE THEIR SIGNAL when turning:dgi: Is it to HARD for them, can people be so LAZY:dgi:

what does one do on this Island to prevent others from taking one's lives? Unless someone is dead, then they have their hands up in the air accusing others of their faults and trying to make other's believe that someone else is in the wrong............

People (not ALL) on the Island DO NOT VALUE their life or the lives of others............
I'm a survivor of a fatal car accident, here on the island, that could have been prevented If only the individual who caused the accident took time to STOP AT A STOP SIGN and wait for oncoming traffic to pass by ............
Someone said it best the other day " Bahamians are in a hurry to be LATE " ..............
-
I'd like to be a " Spokes Person " for others, to wear seat belts and be better drivers.
I've been looking for resources here on the island, but so far I have been hitting :realmad:.........
Let me know IF OTHERS OUT THERE have been in Fatal Car Accidents here on the Island, by fault of others, we need a GROUP to be VOCAL*
---
Why is it so difficult for drivers to USE THEIR SIGNAL when turning:dgi: Is it to HARD for them, can people be so LAZY:dgi:



Darling it's just a symptom of a serious attitude problem in Bahamaland (Nassau & Freeport in partic.)

May of last year, a careless driver almost sent me on to glory! Wrote off my car.... thank God for His kindness and the wise practise of buckling up and Air Bags!!!!! Or dis woulda been about me.........:realmad:

I had a guy who ran a stop sign do $2500 worth of damage to my jeep. While that amount doesn't come close to the worth of a life it does highlight the danger of persons not paying attention to the road.

Seat belts do save lives though, because if I wasn't wearing one, I would have gone directly through the windshield.

I'm happy that we're all among the LIVING here on earth :)
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As we were driving today, I noticed a lady driving with her baby on her lap and trying to talk on her cell phone :confused:
Those are all " distractions " leading up to a fatal car accident.........

but, I must remember that all of this is the " NORM " here in the Bahamas........ :gi: