lesson 8.3 DISTRACTIONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE How can outside-the-vehicle distractions be more difficult to deal with than inside-the-vehicle distractions?

Identify the categories of outside-the-vehicle driver distractions. OBJECTIVE

Animals Outside the Vehicle Animals, birds, reptiles, and many other creatures have the potential to be distractions.

When drivers experience a situation involving an animal or bird that they rarely see, they often take their eyes off the road for longer than a quick glance. If there is something you want to get a better look at: Pull out of traffic and stop your vehicle. Then take the time to appreciate the view or take a picture.

The driver has never seen an alligator in the road before. How might a distraction like this cause a traffic conflict for other drivers approaching from the rear? The copyright holder has not granted permission to display this photograph in a downloadable format. You may view the photograph in the Drive Right Presentation for this lesson on your Keys to Teaching Success disc.

Explain how outside-the-vehicle distractions differ from distractions inside the vehicle. OBJECTIVE

Objects Outside the Vehicle Describe some objects on or along the road you might see while driving. In many cities, electronic traffic information signs are installed or temporarily placed close to the road. How do these signs help reduce driving distractions?

Why are emergency vehicles common distractions to drivers? How can passengers help drivers avoid being distracted by emergency vehicles?

A variable electronic message sign (VMS) like this provides drivers with traffic information. They are also used to display AMBER alert information. The copyright holder has not granted permission to display this photograph in a downloadable format. You may view the photograph in the Drive Right Presentation for this lesson on your Keys to Teaching Success disc.

Describe how a driver can avoid outside-the- vehicle distractions. OBJECTIVE

Scenes and Events Crash and Fire Scenes Two major forms of distraction associated with crash scenes are: gawking, which is when a person stares rubbernecking, which is when a person continually looks all around the scene How can gawking create traffic backlog or a crash?

Traffic around the event becomes chaotic. A large fire is quite a dynamic scene, requiring a lot of personnel and equipment. Traffic around the event becomes chaotic. Emergency vehicles help create confusion and congestion. People may be emotionally overwhelmed and unaware of the dangers around them. The copyright holder has not granted permission to display this photograph in a downloadable format. You may view the photograph in the Drive Right Presentation for this lesson on your Keys to Teaching Success disc.

What can you do to avoid becoming distracted and creating a hazard to others? The copyright holder has not granted permission to display this photograph in a downloadable format. You may view the photograph in the Drive Right Presentation for this lesson on your Keys to Teaching Success disc.

Public Events Imagine trying to exit a stadium parking lot after a major sporting event. What potential hazards and conflicts to your path of travel can you face trying to leave this ballpark after the game?

Explain ways a driver can avoid becoming a distraction to others. OBJECTIVE

As a driver, try to stay focused on the roadway and driving task ahead. Don’t allow yourself, your actions, or your vehicle to become a distraction to others.

Did You Know? Distractions In a recent study, interviews were held with drivers who had been involved in crashes where at least one vehicle had to be towed. Of those drivers, 8.3 percent claimed to have been distracted. Of those distracted drivers, 29.4 percent reported outside-the-vehicle distractions.

lesson 8.3 review What are the four most common categories of outside- the-vehicle distractions? What can drivers do to minimize inside-the-vehicle distractions?