Rhode Island · Handbook chapter 2 · 3 min read

How distraction, fatigue, strong feelings, aggressive driving and road rage affect Rhode Island drivers, and what to do about them.

Why this chapter matters

The manual estimates that about 80 percent of collisions involve some kind of driver inattention. Distraction, sleepiness and anger all take your mind off the road, and the test checks that you know the warning signs and the right response.

Distracted driving

Distractions can be physical (hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, such as reaching for something) or mental (mind off the road, such as a conversation), and combining the two is worse still. A distracted driver may notice a hazard late, decide too slowly, or make the wrong steering or braking input.

• Looking away from the road for two seconds or more doubles the chance of a crash.
• Hands-free phones are no safer than hand-held ones, according to the research the manual cites.

• Passengers can distract, especially for young drivers. For teens, adding just one teen passenger doubles the chance of a fatal crash.
• Prepare before you move: set mirrors, music and navigation first, and ask a passenger to handle anything that would take your attention.
• Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency. Texting while driving is illegal for everyone.

Drowsy driving

• Fatigue blurs vision, slows decisions and makes you misjudge speed and distance.
• Being awake for 18 hours impairs you about as much as a BAC of .05; after 24 hours awake it is roughly a BAC of .10.
• People at higher risk include drivers on long trips, drivers short of sleep, shift workers, and drivers under 30, who are involved in over two-thirds of fall-asleep crashes.
• Most people have natural low points between about midnight and 6 a.m. and again about 2 to 4 p.m.
• Warning signs: heavy eyelids and frequent blinking, repeated yawning, drifting from your lane or hitting rumble strips, missing exits, and not remembering the last few miles.
• On long trips, stop for at least 10 minutes every two hours or every 100 miles.
• Loud radio, open windows, chewing gum or changing speed help for only a few minutes. Rest is the real cure.

Emotions, aggressive driving and road rage

• Strong emotions change how you see and react. An upset driver may look straight at a red light and drive through it.
• Aggressive driving is driving in a pushy or bold way: speeding, tailgating, ignoring traffic controls, improper turns.
• Road rage is using the vehicle or another weapon to threaten or harm someone after a traffic incident.
• To prevent it: leave early, keep a safe gap, avoid needless lane changes, stay out of the far left lane except to pass, signal, and use the horn sparingly. Dim your high beams for oncoming traffic.
• If another driver is aggressive toward you: do not respond, avoid eye contact, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked, leave room to pull out, and if needed call 911 or drive to a busy public place such as a police or fire station.