The holidays are a time for family, friends, celebration and stress. It would be a shame to ruin them with an unfortunate incident at the wheel.
The issues at this time of year are mostly related to distraction. With so much on our minds, it is all too easy to be thinking of something else when you should be concentrating on the life-task at hand, driving.
Add to the mix the higher-than-usual chance that driving conditions will be poor and that you'll be sharing the road with someone driving under the influence.
People are doing a variety of tasks simultaneously during the holidays: Trying to cram more into every hour of the day often results in hurrying. And hurrying at the wheel, combined with having your mind on other issues, is a sure path to problems.
It is also highly likely that drivers will be travelling greater distances to be with family and friends. This added traffic, in more crowded and often poor conditions, is another reason for an inordinate amount of fatal crashes at this time of year -- almost 25 per cent of the annual total.
We've dealt with driver distraction on numerous occasions but we'll go back over some of the issues that might well surface during this holiday season:
Talking to others
Whether on the cellphone or in the vehicle, engaging in conversation is distracting. The resultant slight delay in problem recognition and reaction when others on the road are likely to be similarly distracted can be fatal. Adding to this is the greater likelihood of having someone else in the vehicle or needing to communicate on a variety of issues.
Adjusting controls
With the cooler conditions and more people in the vehicle, the need to adjust controls is greater, whether it be adjusting the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to keep the windshield clear or adjust the temperature, turning the audio system up to hear a weather forecast, favourite carol or road conditions or turning the audio down to hear someone talk.
Eating or snacking
It's all too easy to skip regular meals and use that time for last-minute shopping or other errands. Eating or snacking at the wheel can be a deadly distraction.
Tending to children
More than any at any other time of year, children are likely to be accompanying their parents in the vehicle. Add this to all the other seasonal distractions and you've got all the potential needed for a deadly distraction.
That could be either a physical distraction (turning around to deal with them) or mental (listening to and for them).
Reading
This distraction becomes more prominent during the holidays as people attempt to find locations, whether for a restaurant or party or for a gift from an unfamiliar location.
If you need directions, stop and look. If you need to check that shopping list, do it before or after your drive. Do your window shopping while parked. Be prepared for that trip to the grandparents before you leave.
Grooming
Getting yourself all prettied up for work or the party might well be necessary, but not at the wheel. Nothing will ruin your mascara or coiffure more than an airbag in the face.
Packing
Pack the vehicle carefully to avoid objects blocking your view or moving around during the drive.
Patience
Another issue that is often reported during this stressful time is inconsiderate and impatient driving, leading to frustration and road rage. This is supposed to be a season for sharing - let that apply to the road as well. Here's a great opportunity to give unto others by being patient and courteous.
And of course, wear your seatbelts and drive sober.
Halifax-based Richard Russell runs a driving school.
