Each year in the U.S., inattentive drivers cause 3,000 deaths and more than 400,000 injuries. On average, 9 people die every day in our country because of a distracted driver. With those startling statistics, we should all be interested in learning some RV tips for attentive driving.
A definition
Just what does “attentive” mean? Here are some synonyms I found: heedful, thoughtful, captivated, intent, engrossed. As you read the list, maybe you have to admit (like me) that while I try to remain heedful and thoughtful when driving, I’m not always captivated, intent, or engrossed. Those terms surpass my usual driving attitude.
Too easy
Perhaps inattentive driving is on the rise because motoring down the road is so much easier than in days gone by. I can remember, as a teenager, how difficult it was to wrangle the manual steering wheel to make a turn with the family’s Ford Galaxy 500. Or using both feet to punch down on the manual brakes at a distance far from the intersection in order for the car to completely stop.
Today’s vehicles—yes, even RVs—are easy to drive. Maybe too easy. With dash information centers, touch screens, front, side and rear cameras, and more, it’s easy to sit back and relax. It’s easy to become distracted. Perhaps too easy.
Three distraction categories
Experts have identified three main categories of distraction that can adversely affect drivers:
- Visual distractions. This includes outdoor distractions like viewing a billboard, taking in the scenery, or focusing on a highway accident (“rubbernecking”). RV drivers can also be distracted by things inside the vehicle. Looking at the fuel gauge, checking on children riding in the back, or viewing a navigation screen can also interrupt your attention to driving.
- Manual distractions. These types of distractions cause you to remove your hand(s) from the steering wheel. Examples include eating, reaching for something, using your cell phone, and more.
- Cognitive distractions. Daydreaming, worrying, arguing, and anything else that takes your mind off driving are also distractions. Singing and listening to a podcast are also examples of cognitive distractions.
Wait, what?!
I know, I know. Some of these so-called “distractions” are what make RVing fun, right? Who doesn’t want to view the scenery as it passes by the RV’s windows? How can you drive for miles and not talk (or listen) to your travel buddy or a radio?
The point is that there are many, many factors that can cause inattentive driving. Listening to the radio may not distract you when driving your rig on the open road. If, however, you’re driving in highly congested, stop-and-go traffic, it may be best to reduce the radio volume in order to concentrate better on driving.
RVers must be fully engaged behind the wheel, constantly monitoring the road, and anticipating potential challenges. It goes beyond simply following traffic rules; it’s about being proactive and ready to respond to changing conditions. Attentive driving involves maintaining a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings and actively participating in the driving experience.
Bottom line
If it distracts you—pulls your attention away from the road—you are not driving attentively. Ask any RVer who’s experienced an accident. You’ll usually hear: “It all happened so fast!” A distracted driver has a diminished reaction time. So, safely pull off the highway and stop to eat that messy burrito or let your travel partner adjust the temperature settings for you. A short delay to pull over, stop, and make a phone call is infinitely better than a week’s stay in the hospital—or worse!
Also consider
- Vehicle size and weight awareness: RVs are larger and heavier than regular vehicles, requiring a different approach to driving. Attentive RVers understand the dimensions and weight of their vehicle, making calculated decisions on turns, lane changes, and parking. This awareness helps prevent accidents and promotes smoother navigation through changing conditions.
- Constant vigilance on the road: RVers should maintain a continuous scan of the road ahead as well as behind. Check for potential hazards, upcoming turns, and changes in traffic patterns. Being attentive to the road conditions allows for timely adjustments in speed and direction, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Proactive planning and route awareness: Attentive RVers plan their routes in advance, considering factors like road conditions, construction zones, and potential weather challenges. This proactive approach enables them to make informed decisions and avoid the unexpected.
- Regular vehicle maintenance: Keeping the RV in optimal condition is also part of attentive driving. Regular maintenance checks, including brakes, tires, and lights, contribute to a safer driving experience. Attentive RVers understand the importance of a well-maintained vehicle for both their safety and the safety of others on the road.
RVers who prioritize staying vigilant, minimizing distractions, and proactively planning their journeys contribute to a safer and more enjoyable travel experience. Stay safe out there, friends.
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The semi-self driving cars will make this worse. But, once the nanny state takes over, we will all be safe.
Oh yes just sitting there in your self driving EV watching the world go by awaiting the next charging station hopefully working 200 miles away. Once there you can sit there with nothing running not the A/C, or heater, or radio for the better part of an hour so you can make it another 200 miles and do it all again. What a nice road trip that will be.
I prefer driving our Class B RV to driving the family car. We, my lovely co-pilot, and I sit up higher which provides a better view of the road and traffic ahead; the mirrors are bigger which provide a bigger picture of the sides and back of the vehicle. She is also a second set of eyes and ears to alert me potential hazardous situations and making sure I am alert!
DW is strictly as passenger when I’m driving, just sitting there playing games on her iPad.
I would like to add one distraction that can adversely affect drivers. Stupid ankle biter climbing around/sitting on the driver’s lap with or without the dog’s head hanging out the driver’s window. We’ve seen it a lot over the past two year’s.
Great addition to the list! All pets should be secured (harness-type seat belt or kennel) for travel. That way, pets and people stay safe.
Especially medium to large dogs!
Thank you, Gail! Remembering that I’m sitting on the nose of 38,000 pounds makes me much more vigilant than when I am surrounded by 5,500 pounds. DW has control of the GPS when we travel in the RV and I’m not allowed any music at all for the first several minutes of each drive to avoid distraction. I have a volume control for the radio/GPS on the steering wheel, so I don’t have to reach for a volume knob once music is allowed. I also only drink (Mountain Dew) or adjust the temperature settings when there is no overtaking traffic around us. We crate current dog (7 months of age) when we are moving. Lastly, DW handles all phone calls while we are moving. Safe travels! 🙂
For those who would like to research driver improvement, check out the “Smith System “. It’s primary focus is on the trucking industry, but applies to all drivers.
IMO, many current vehicles make manually maintaining a constant speed difficult. A quiet smooth ride whether you are doing 40 or 80; very sensitive accelerator pedals that respond to the slightest move. My ankle complains after a while of only tiny movement. As a result I spend too much time monitoring the speedometer rather than the road. The adaptive cruise control is my best friend – when the roads are dry.
I agree, cars are too easy to drive and people may tend rely on the “safety devices” and decide that those alone will prevent accidents. Don’t even get me started on adaptive cruise control (that is a rant for another day).
I also lay a lot of blame on the screens and the need to take your hand off the wheel and mind off the main job to sort through screens to find a radio station, set the temp and direct air flow and all the other things. I also have a small screen right in front of the steering wheel that flashes on when I turn on the wipers and tells me that the wipers are on, I know they are. Heck I see them swinging back and forth. Not necessary and itself a distraction.
When driving my RV I shut off the radio as that is a distraction. If there is news or talk you can’t possibly be giving 100% of your attention to the road ahead and still understand what is being said. Music can lull you into relaxing too much or Rock & Roll can get you “jumping” rather than focusing on the job at hand. When teaching Police the art of vehicle control one test was to turn on the siren as that can be distracting the driver from the job at hand. Police need to learn how to “shut that distraction off”.
Perhaps while not obvious, a more attentive driver would be one who got a good night sleep and was well rested before getting behind the wheel to drive. A driver who is not using drugs or alcohol that reduce their awareness, reflexes, or ability to operate a motor vehicle. And the only thing an attentive driver has full control over on the road, their attitude. So, make it a good one.
I am 90 and last year drove our class A diesel pusher across the country and back. over the years I have driven a lot of miles with no accidents and no tickets. I look at speed limits as limits, not advisories but if all the prevailing traffic is going at a different speed I match the speed so as not to be a road hazard. The California DMV driver handbook advises maintaining a three-second space from the vehicle in front. I maintain that with the car but prefer a four or more second distance. My Rand McNally GPS talks to me so that I don’t have to take eyes off the road. No radio, phone or other distractions except some conversation. I believe most wrecks are results of selfishness.
My dad taught me to drive 3 cars ahead When the 3rd car ahead puts on its brake lights one should.lift foot from the accelerator & coast prior to braking Any time my foot went from the directly accelerator to the brake he’d clock me one in the head I’ve been glad for years that he taught me economical & safe driving skills
The dog is seat belted in back seat. I talk to him. The phone is zipped in my purse. Sometimes I play CDs, other times I’d rather just do nothing but drive. If I have to adjust anything, I do it when nothing is coming at me and keep eyes on the road. If I’m sleepy or tired or the dog needs to get out and have a drink, I stop pretty often because I leave in plenty of time. It’s not difficult. When I was a kid, every time I left home, Dad said, “Drive on the right hand side.” I wish everyone did.