5 Distracted Driving Myths You Should Know

Driving requires all of our focus. But there are so many distractions—both inside and outside our vehicles—vying for attention, it’s all too easy to let that focus stray. So it’s critical that we resist the pull. That starts with knowing what the most common distractions are and what we can do to keep them under control.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts your attention away from driving. Such distractions can be visual (taking your eyes off the road, mirrors, or dashboard meters), manual (using your hands to do anything beyond controlling the vehicle), or cognitive (shifting your attention to something else). Common causes include talking (or anything else) on your phone, eating, using your vehicle’s navigation or infotainment screens, even talking to others in the car. Whatever the cause, distractions increase your likelihood of getting into an accident. Some research has shown that even simply listening to talk radio can increase driving errors.

You might think you could avoid distracted driving by using your car’s built-in hands-free technology or using your phone only when you’re stopped. But even with such efforts, you can still become distracted. Here are five common misconceptions about the risks of driving while distracted, and what you can do to keep your focus where it really belongs.

Myth #1: Distracted driving isn’t really that risky.

Everyone knows the perils of driving under the influence, but distracted driving is a major danger, too: According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3,308 people were killed due to distracted driving in 2022. (By comparison, in that same period there were 13,524 fatalities due to drunk driving.)

Myth #2: Younger drivers are the distracted ones.

It’s common to think that younger drivers are more prone to distracted driving. But extensive driving experience doesn’t make you immune to distraction—and it can make the impacts worse.

For example, in-vehicle infotainment systems have the power to distract drivers of all ages. But research says their impact can be greater on older drivers: they take longer to complete driving tasks, respond more slowly to driving events, and exhibit more distraction than their younger counterparts when using such systems.

“You cannot practice away the harmful effects of driver distraction,” says Jake Nelson, director of traffic safety advocacy and research for AAA. “Skilled drivers can have slower reaction times when they attempt to multitask.”

Myth #3: Hands-free devices are safe. 

Talking on the phone while behind the wheel is distracting, even if you don’t have your phone in your hand. 

You might think that such hands-free devices are a safe alternative. However, AAA research shows the distracting effect of using hands-free systems can last up to 27 seconds after you’re done using them.

“I think probably one of the most common [myths] is that hands-free devices eliminate distractions,” says Nelson. “That's simply not true. Hands-free use still involves cognitive distraction, and that impairs reaction time and focus on the road.”

The same applies to infotainment screens and other technology built into your vehicle, even if they’re supposed to be helpful: They, too, can cause distraction when you’re behind the wheel.

Myth #4: It’s OK to check your phone at stops. 

Cell phones aren’t only a risk while you drive. You might think it’s safe to use your phone when you’re at a stoplight waiting for the light to turn green. Thanks to that 27-second impact period cited above, using your cell phone while stopped can affect you more than you think. 

“The harmful effects of driver distraction can linger even after the light changes,” says Nelson. “That's typically when we're progressing through an intersection, so it can increase crash risk then.” 

Even at a stop, there are things you need to pay attention to, such as pedestrians or bicyclists who may be entering the intersection. It can be harder to detect them if your attention is shifting abruptly from screen to street. You should also note other drivers who are glancing down while they’re stopped; their reaction times may be impaired when the light changes.

Myth #5: Devices are the problem.

Devices aren’t the only distractors you need to be aware of. Your own mood can be a serious distraction, too. If you’re angry, stressed, tired, or sad while you’re driving, that can distract you just as much—if not more—than a phone. 

Your energy level can hamper focus, too. “Around 17 to 18 percent of all fatal crashes involve somebody who is driving when it was hard to keep their eyes open,” says Nelson. “Even missing two of the recommended seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour period can put you at risk or elevate your crash risk behind the wheel.”

Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving 

Your main focus while driving should be on the road. You want enough time to spot hazards and avoid risks. Among other things, that can mean:

• Put the phone away. If possible, put your phone in your glove compartment or leave it in your bag. If it has to be out for some reason, consider putting it in Do Not Disturb mode to prevent incoming communications. If you use the phone for music or podcasts, ideally you’d have a passenger control the playlist. 
• Minimize the screens. Even if they’re built into your car, and even if you need to use them to control aspects of the vehicle, interact with your vehicle’s infotainment systems as little as possible. Again, ideally you’d have a passenger acting as navigator and DJ.
• Prepare ahead of time. Get your directions on your phone or other device up and running before you start the car. While you’re at it, adjust your seat, mirrors, and temperature settings, too. 
• Avoid multitasking. Don’t eat, drink, put on makeup, text, talk on the phone, or grab your wallet. Avoid any task that uses your hands or takes your vision or mental focus off the road. 
• If you really need to communicate, pull over. Of course, life keeps happening when you’re behind the wheel. If, despite your best efforts, you hear a chime or see a notification announcing an incoming communication, and you just can’t wait, find a safe place to pull over before you listen, read, or reply to that message.
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pull over. Just as you’d stop driving (we hope) if you were falling asleep behind the wheel, you should also stop if you’re crying, raging, or otherwise really upset. And if you are tired, a jolt of caffeine coupled with a quick 20- or 30-minute nap can be an effective short-term fix.

Unless you’ve achieved an advanced state of mental discipline, it’s too much to expect that you’ll never get distracted while driving; the goal is to snap back as quickly as you can. One way to do that is to minimize the extraneous things that are trying to grab your attention. The phone calls, emails, texts, and everything else can almost certainly wait. “It's more important to get to your destination safely and then give your full focus to those other responsibilities,” says Nelson.