Driving Safely Involves Remaining Engaged in the Task at All Times

Here's an interesting paradox: as cars are becoming more and more advanced drivers are becoming less and less involved in the operation of their cars, says the head of AAA's Traffic Safety Foundation.

J. Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic and Safety, emphasized in this month's edition of "AAA Horizons:"

"With video screens that provide feedback around and behind cars, warning signals and proximity sensors, advanced cruise control and other features some people are letting their vehicles 'drive themselves,' rather than remaining engaged in the task of driving."

However, he noted, a driver must remain involved in all aspects of vehicle operation and he pointed to the example set by the early astronauts who fought hard to have a window included in their space capsules. As Kissinger retold the story, the engineers and scientists told the astronauts they didn't need the window because all of their instruments would give them all of the information they needed and that the window would be a needless expense.

The astronauts, the AAA executive continued, persisted in their demands for that window in the capsule. Kissinger, continuing to use this example, noted that those early space pioneers were "experienced pilots, they understood the importance of seeing and interacting with the environment outside their vehicles, and they knew - from experience and instinct - that even the best control panels cannot provide all the information a pilot might need...They knew that good pilots never allow themselves to become passive observers. That meant they must have a view of the outside to remain fully engaged in the operation of their spacecraft." Their persistance paid off in the window that helped them return to earth safely many times. The Apollo 13 experience of the early 1970s pointed to the validity of their persistance.

As recounted in the film "Apollo 13," the three astronauts had a severe accdent in their spacecraft that forced them to use the lunar lander module as their "spacecraft" and without the ability to see out and take sightings they might have been lost, however, thanks to their ability to see out, the movie noted, they were able to take the sightings they needed to get back to earth safety. It was a harrowing, but true tale and pointed out the need to remain involved in their environment (source: author's memory and movie).

Translating this experience to cars, Kissinger came back to today's automotive paradox. Because of all of the warning systems, windows and video screens, drivers "are missing the lesson the astronauts knew so well." Kissinger said the lesson is that you need look out the windows to see your environment and to remain engaged in the act of driving your vehicle.

"Some technologies give the illusion of being in control," Kissinger emphasized, "when, in fact, they're actually distracting from the task of driving safely."

For instance, he noted, that when you set your car's seat position, program the navigation system or set your car's climate control system, you may feel that this is part of the driving experience, but it's not. Instead, he said, these are "tasks that should take place before you get on the road."

There are other technologies today, Kissinger noted, that "make it particularly tempting to pay attention to the control panel, rather than the road."

Aside from distractions caused by the normal noisemakers - radios and CD players and cellphones - some cars "now feature DVD players, internet connections and audio-visual interfaces where users can read restaurant reviews, find movie times and gather other non-driving information," the AAA executive noted.

He pointed out that while many of these technologies are helpful you must learn to use them appropriately so you drive safely.

The AAA Traffic Safety Foundation executive had this advice for motorists who are using these devices:

Set your systems in advance: "Just as no space launch takes off without careful adjustment of all controls, drivers should set their in-car controls, such as mirrors, seats, steering wheel, environmental settings, music and other options, before you start on your trip," he noted.

"File your flight plan ahead of time": Drivers should take the time, before they leave on a trip, to input all the data they will need for the GPS systems. Don't try to set them while you're driving, he noted.

"Use Your Crew": "Pilots flying spacecraft (and planes) rely on others around them to handle non-essential tasks, such as climate settings, navigation and communication. Drivers should do the same, having passengers take on those tasks," Kissinger emphasized.

Focus on you mission: It doesn't matter if you are taking a trip down the street or to the moon, "your primary responsibility as a driver is conducting your vehicle from Point A to Point B safely. Make that your top priority and leave everything else - including entertainment, food and talking on the phone - to another time," he said.

Use your windows: Kissinger pointed out that drivers should take a lesson from the astronauts and look out their windows, keeping their eyes and heads moving while they drive, "so you can scan everything around you and anticipate conditions."

Don't "space out": "Keep yourself engaged with driving and don't allow yourself to become 'hypnotized' by the road, especially on long, boring trips," he said. "If the astronauts can say focused all the way to the moon, you can remain alert on the turnpike. Take breaks and pull off to a safe spot for a few minutes when you feel your attention flagging," he emphasized.

Kissinger concluded by noting "staying engaged and focusing on the task of driving can help your next trip safer."

(sources: AAA Foundation for Auto Safety, "Apollo 13," author)