Driving needs your full attention. Distractions can be both visual (you’re looking at it), and cognitive (you’re thinking about it) – so you’re not looking where you’re going and you’re thinking about how to unwrap that snack.

Essentially, anything that diverts a driver's attention for more than two seconds can significantly increase the likelihood of a crash or near-crash.

Crash investigations officially find distraction to be a factor in about 1 in 5 crashes (that’s similar levels to alcohol) but studies recording in-car behaviour have indicated the true figure could be much higher.

Here are six common distractions:

1. Mobile phones

We’ve all seen it and know what’s going on - the lap-glance, the one car that’s slow to move in the queue, sloppy lane-keeping or the face-illuminating phone screen light at night. How about connecting hands-free to the vehicle and stowing the phone out of reach, or removing the temptation altogether by switching the phone off?

It may be stating the obvious, but it is illegal to send and receive text messages, emails, or take calls on hand-held mobile devices while driving and it increases your crash risk. Currently the penalty is an $80 fine and 20 demerit points on your licence.

2. Navigation

There are many types of satellite navigation devices available to drivers. Modern vehicles now include it as factory, whereas others buy an external device or use Google Maps on their mobile phones. A hard to operate Sat Nav can distract the driver and increase the chances of an accident. As a driver, it is important to know how to best use your Sat Nav. Use voice commands, pull over to enter a destination or type it in before you turn the key.

3. Food

Here’s one we’re probably all guilty of – grabbing food on the run. While it’s not illegal to eat behind the wheel, it is definitely considered a distraction.  An overseas study found snacking drivers had up to 44% slower reaction times than normal. If you can’t resist temptation then adopt a no food in car policy, break up a road trip, and get out of the car and into the fresh air.  

4. Music

While the main benefit of listening to music while driving is that it makes the journey a lot more fun, skipping a song, channel surfing on the radio, or setting up music players can be a distraction and cause the driver to take their eyes off the road.

It’s also important that you are able to hear how your vehicle is running and hear what’s happening on the road around you. With music on full volume, you are less likely to hear any problems.

This also goes for the wearing of headphones - the driver will be less likely to be aware of their surroundings, hear the sirens of emergency services, or another motorist’s horn sounded as a warning of potential danger.

5. Pets

Pets can be a big distraction – particularly if they’re unrestrained. You can never be sure how they’re going to react, especially if they are not familiar with a car journey. A spooked pet can be very unpredictable, and what better place to hide than down by the driver’s feet!? It is important to correctly restrain your pets, not only as they could be a distraction, but for their safety.

6. Applying makeup

A touchy subject here, but the application of lippy or mascara while looking into the rear view mirror doesn’t help anyone.

Applying makeup while driving will slow your reaction time by double, and cause you to be less aware of your surroundings. There is always the chance of needing to quickly stop, which could lead to the mascara wand poking your eye.

Pay attention!

Being distracted itself is not “illegal”, but it is very risky and you could face very serious charges should that distraction lead to injury or death if you crashed. If your eyes are off the road, even at just 30kmh you have travelled 8m/second – so 2 seconds looking away = 16m (3+ car lengths). At 100kmh it’s 28m/second.

Make sure that you stay safe and give your full concentration. The bottom line is... it only takes one second of distraction to cause a lifetime of hardship.