Do you know what the most dangerous distractions at the wheel are?

The DGT has drawn up a list of the distractions that lead to the greatest number of metres travelled without paying attention to driving

Road accidents are caused by a range of factors. From natural causes such as fainting spells, dizziness, or even more serious conditions, to distractions caused by irresponsible use of devices such as mobile phones, and inappropriate speed, all can be decisive factors in the cause of an accident.

That is why, now that we are entering the summer months, which together with the Christmas period are the times of greatest traffic flow and road travel, we do not want to miss the opportunity to do our part in raising awareness and promoting road safety, by reminding drivers of the worst enemies of concentration while driving.

To draw up this ranking of the worst risk factors at the wheel, the Directorate-General for Traffic takes as its reference speed the legal maximum on fast roads of 120 km/h. The relationship between speed and metres travelled shows that, at this pace, every second covers 34 metres.

5. Lighting a cigarette

One of the DGT’s goals is to reduce to the maximum the situations that increase accident rates. Among the rumours and trial balloons, the idea of penalising people who smoke in their car is the latest threat hanging over these people.

According to studies by the competent traffic authority, taking into account that it takes up to four seconds on average to light a cigarette, this means up to 266 metres travelled without paying proper attention to driving.

In addition, lighting a cigarette means taking one or even both hands off the steering wheel, which can result in a fine from the relevant officers for not holding the steering wheel correctly.

4. Adjusting the sound system

Changing the radio station, adjusting the volume of the sound system, selecting your favourite song… these common changes made while driving can leave us for 6 seconds without paying attention to the road.

Over 200 metres, a car can travel without control when any of the radio or car sound system settings are changed.

3. Answering a phone call

Using a mobile phone is permitted as long as it is done through a device that allows its functions to be operated without taking your hands off the steering wheel, that is, a gadget or hands-free kit.

When answering a phone call, besides being classed as one of the traffic offences that carry a points deduction from the driving licence, it is calculated at 8 seconds of time spent not attending to driving. Around 266 metres driven without paying attention.

2. Entering an address or typing a phone number

Whether answering a phone with your own device or operating the multimedia system can mean up to 14 seconds of distraction, the time practically doubles when dialling someone’s number or entering the destination address in the navigation system.

Almost half a kilometre travelled without attending to driving, 466 metres to be more precise.

1. Sending a WhatsApp message

But the worst attitude at the wheel is using the mobile phone to send a message through the WhatsApp app.

Sending a text via the popular messaging app means up to 20 seconds of distraction and 600 metres without attention to driving.

The best tool against distraction, common sense

It should be emphasised that, in any of these situations, using the phone, operating infotainment systems or behaviours such as smoking are voluntary acts carried out by the driver, so the responsibility lies with the person operating the car and not with the device or element causing the distraction.

Identifying these behaviours and raising awareness of their consequences is the task and responsibility of everyone but, above all, of the driver.