I think women can multi-task like nobody’s business. Men think multi-tasking is holding a beer in one hand and paying the bartender with the other. However, all is fair between the genders when it comes to distractions in the car. While women may be trying to apply mascara at 60 mph, I’ve seen men trying to comb over their bald spot while using their elbow to steer.
The automakers are trying to develop more and more technology to address some of these concerns but also realize the modern day “smart” phone needs to be held by and sold to “smart” people. No matter how up to date you are with technology, what good is it in the ER at the end of the day.

Here are some distractions all genders, all ages should be aware of:

  1. Turn your cell phone off !!! OK use a hand-free device or the Blue Tooth option built into many of the newer vehicles. Use voice activation if your vehicle is equipped with it, or try the old fashioned way, pull over to make or receive a call. Each State has their own laws about hand held phones. I had an officer pull me over at a toll booth in New York and started yelling at me for having my phone to my ear.
  2. Talking to fellow passengers. If you are having a casual conversation, keep your eyes on the road, there is no reason to look at the person straight in their eyes… especially if they are in the back seat.
  3. Reaching for CDs, food or falling objects. Let them fall! I love the man or woman who is eating a big mac with one hand and has the soda in the other, driving with their knees. I get out of their way so quickly.
  4. Don’t decide to program your radio stations on the road or tinker with heating seats, checking lights, adjusting mirrors, playing with moon roofs, watching eco lines go up and down. Please do your adjustments before you leave your home, or pull over in a safe place once you realize you need some help.
  5. Don’t apply makeup, shave, tease your hair, put in your contacts or adjust your SPANX. Here is something I did one time and will never do again… I removed a pair of heels while driving so that I would not ruin the leather heel. In doing so, I got stuck and the car swerved.
Now I put my flats on till I get to my destination.
  1. Don’t eat in the car ! Don’t open a can of soda or juice! Don’t dig in your purse for snacks or phone numbers or even gum. Try and be prepared before you start out.
  2. Try not to entertain yourself with the outside distractions like colorful billboards, convertibles with cute girls or men with no shirts on. Know your limitations.
  3. No smoking – for lots of reasons.
  4. Don’t Drink and Drive and Don’t text and drive. What is so urgent it can’t wait?
You can see how the best of multi taskers should not test their skills while driving. Concentrate on the road and the drivers around you. Not everyone has read this article.

For more of Cathy's Car Corner go to www.twofortheroadusa.com