You Are Going Blind!!!!

LOOK OUT!!!!

An Australian study from 2005 showed researchers that drivers using hands-free devices while driving are still four times more likely to be in an accident, the same chance as someone holding their cellular phone while talking and driving. "Motorists are more accident-prone and slower to react when they talk on cellular telephones - even hands-free models - because 'inattention blindness' makes the drivers less able to process visual information," University of Utah researchers found in 2003.

I figured out this weekend the reason why everyone is subject to inattention blindness. It doesn't have to be the electronics in your car. For me, it was the chatty teen sitting right next to me. It dawned on me as we were happily going to see our friends on Saturday that I hadn't really seen where we were going even though my "eyes" were on the road. My mind was preoccupied with girl child telling a story, and we straight up passed a store at which we wanted to purchase a Giant Metal Chicken for our Sosie's birthday. I was astonished that we had to back track more than two miles to make our purchase. That is more than two miles of heavy traffic that could have taken us out. I am just amazed that we weren't.

Inattention Blindness happens to EVERYONE so don't get all judgy on me (I feel bad enough as it is). Always the brainiac, I researched this to learn more about it. My favorite research comes out of Harvard, The Invisible Gorilla Test. The study asked people to watch a video where two teams wearing black and white t-shirts pass a basketball around. They were told to count the number of passes made by one of the teams. In the video someone walks through the players wearing a full gorilla suit. After watching the video, the subjects were asked if they saw anything out of the ordinary... 50% of the subjects did not report seeing the gorilla. This research showed that what is in our sight area is not seen if our mind is focused on another task.

That scares the crap out of me! I think about how many times I became bored on the long trip from DFW to East Texas to see my family and zoned out. Unless there is a needed potty break in Sulfur Springs or Mount Pleasant, you could drive on Interstate 30 and never see the crepe myrtle grower outside of Greenville or the Rainbow Ranch. There's an exit 1993 that I have always looked for because that was the year I graduated from high school. Those are just a few of the scenes on the side of the road...what about those tractor trailers that are on the road with me? What about that road rager? The gal putting on her make-up or yelling at her kids? The idiot with the dog in his lap? Distractions, distractions, distractions...they are EVERYWHERE!

Distracted Driving Awareness is my Purpose

I don't tend to throw out the biblical references too often...my faith is very personal, and I am very private about it. However, yesterday I felt like God was revealing my purpose and I want to share. 

Isaiah 66:9 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) ^{9 "}In the same way, I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.” The LORD says this: “I promise that if I cause you the pain of birth, I will not stop you from having your new nation.” Your God said this.

I have spent the last year of my life struggling to understand God's purpose and reasoning for the loss of my sister. I have read that it's actually part of the mourning process to have a crisis of faith sometimes. Yesterday, I had had a particularly hard day at work and was ready to call it a day early just to go hide my frustration and pain. However, I hesitated, arguing with myself about not giving in to the ill feelings and toughing it out. 


While I hesitated, our office's mail carrier walked in to deliver our mail and try to cool off a bit. She and I often exchange the pleasantries and polite conversation of acquaintanceship. However, we've never really delved any deeper than passing humor. Yesterday, she was resting in the cool while I retrieved her a glass of ice water (my mama and daddy were both mail carriers so I know the Texas heat can take its toll quite easily). I simply asked, "How has your day been going?" Her response was the polite "Okay."


Then our conversation turned as she began to ask about my family, my mother and father being postal carriers, them being retired and trying to enjoy their leisure, my sister's death, and then distracted driving. I hadn't really considered myself an expert in this arena until I started spouting the research and talking about the epidemic that is distracted driving. At the climax of our exchange, our mail carrier was visibly affected by the information. I could see her pondering and thinking about the information. When she and I were ready to part ways, she walked away from our conversation with a new insight. I hope that insight helps her to make wise choices when driving and that she too passes on the information to those who will listen. 


I felt better and the bad day lightened with this exchange. Then later in the day, I stumbled across Isaiah 66:9. I felt like God was reminding me of His promise...He will not bring pain without also allowing something new to be born. From the pain of losing my sister was born this challenge of educating everyone with whom I come into contact about distracted driving. 


The Facts I Shared:

• From Distracted Driving Safety Alliance--Even with a blue tooth or hands free device, we can be distracted from our driving by inattentive blindness.
• From this blog--emotional driving and inattention blindness 
• From Distraction.gov--Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
  • Texting
  • Using a cell phone or smartphone
  • Eating and drinking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Reading, including maps
  • Using a navigation system
  • Watching a video
  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player