For many of us, driving is as much a part of the daily routine as brushing our teeth or cooking dinner. So it makes sense that your mind might wander while you’re on the road. Unfortunately, new research shows that the tendency to daydream and drive could be putting you—and your fellow commuters—in harm’s way. Individuals who let their minds wander while driving are at an increased risk of getting in a car accident, finds a study from the University of Bordeaux in France. Of nearly 1,000 drivers injured in accidents, 52% reported some amount of mind wandering before crashing their cars. Intense mind wandering (characterized by highly disruptive or distracting thoughts) was associated with an increased likelihood of being the driver responsible for the mishap. It’s no secret that failing to focus on the road can be a safety risk: After all, external distractions like texting or fiddling with the radio are well-established culprits of accidents. But what goes on in our brains is much harder to control—you can probably resist the urge to check your phone, but can you stop yourself from making a mental grocery list? “The problem with internal distractions is that we aren’t immediately aware of them. We space out all the time without even realizing it,” says Paul Atchley, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Kansas who studies the effects of distraction and multitasking on driving. Here’s how you can stay in the moment behind the wheel. Remember the risks You might not be thinking it while en route to the mall, but driving is a risky activity, Atchley says. A subtle reminder to yourself might be enough to boost your focus. “If you approach driving as the potentially dangerous task that it really is, you’re much more likely to pay attention," he says. Add some color When you think about the same things during your commute—anticipating the day’s workload, or what to cook for dinner—your brain begins to associate the car with zoning out, says Michael Kane, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A novel, visual cue such as a colored string or dashboard sticker can snap you out ofyour “dream-driving” habit. Keep things interesting Instead of mulling over your weekend plans, play “Spot the Distracted Driver.” Watch to see whether other cars are staying in their lanes and using signals; if you’re close enough at a stop light, peer into the window of the person next to you to see whether his eyes are on the road. Paying attention to potential risks can be a form of entertainment in itself—and help you drive more defensively, Atchley says. Get help from your co-pilot “Passengers tend to look for threats, but will sometimes stay quiet because they don’t want to be a backseat driver,” Atchley says. If someone’s riding with you, tell her to speak up if she sees something. More from Prevention: Are You Driving Under The Influence? Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team!
