Most of us don’t realize how involved the process of driving can be. Your muscles need to build up a memory of the different actions required on the road. This can take anything from a few weeks to several months, depending on how confident you feel at the steering wheel.
Unfortunately, without muscle memory, you’ll find it hard to have rapid reflexes. Your arms and legs should react to obstacles even before your conscious mind has had the time to analyze the road. To make things more challenging, your eyes are your main source of information. Where’s the challenge in that, you ask? The answer is simple: It’s a lot harder than you think to keep your eyes on the road. Here’s why:
You’re physically exhausted
Exhaustion can come in a variety of forms. For a lot of people, nervous fatigue can build up after a long day at work, for instance. Another common issue about fatigue occurs with fitness training. Did you know that workouts could hurt your mind and body? Indeed, if you push yourself too much too often, your body will have trouble recovering. As such, you can experience soreness or sleep troubles. Additionally, the pressure related to extreme fitness programs can increase your stress levels, making your mind less alert to other stressful factors, such as obstacles on the road.
Your previous accident haunts you
Roads can be a dangerous place. As such, accidents are prone to happen, even if you’re attentive. A driver who has been involved in a collision in the past can suffer from post-traumatic disorder. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic crash to have lasting consequences on your self-confidence. Even a minor collision can lead to trauma if you don’t receive the support your need. That’s why dedicated legal advisors, such as Solomon Law Group, ensure they can obtain the best deal for their clients. As such, the compensation you receive can not only help you fix or replace the car but also tackle health issues and reduce psychological scars.
You’re angry
Your emotions influence the way you behave in the car. Indeed, when you’re stressed out or angry, you are likely to make rash decisions. Anger dramatically decreases your alertness on the road , exposing you to high risks. As you are less receptive to the events on the road, you may not react in time to dangerous obstacles. Additionally, angry drivers favor a quick pace and aggressive driving style, which can affect other drivers too.
It’s too sunny!
Did you know that the risk of a life-threatening crash is 16% higher in bright weather conditions, according to a medical article by Donald A. Redelmeier and Sheharyar Raza? Why is bright sunlight so dangerous to drivers? The answer is complicated. Ultimately, the combination of sun glare and an enhanced sense of safety can take high risks on the road. The authors hypothesize that bright light affects not only the driver’s vision but also the perception of position, motion, and size on the road. In other words, keep your anti-glare sunglasses on!
It’s time we started to take driving seriously. Entrusting a vehicle that can weigh several tons in the hands of a single person is not without responsibilities. Learning to become mindful and safe drivers begins by understanding what factors can affect your alertness in the car, and how to avoid them.
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