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Alaska driving lesson · Distraction, Control & Fatigue

Distracted driving

A 3-minute lesson from the Alaska course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Distraction, Control & Fatigue
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
29, 31

Anything that takes your eyes, hands or mind off driving is a distraction: phones, screens, food, pets, even kids in the back seat. Alaska bans texting and operating visual screens while you drive.

Know the rule

It is illegal in Alaska to drive with a visual screen device operating. Texting while driving is prohibited. AS 28.35.161 has the full list of prohibited uses.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Never text, surf the web or read email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in Alaska.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Ten tips for managing distractions:

  • Turn it off: switch your phone off or to silent before you get in the car
  • Spread the word: set up a message telling callers you're driving and will call back
  • Pull over to a safe area before making a call
  • Use your passengers: ask one to make the call for you
  • X the text: never text, surf the web, or read email while driving
  • Know the law: all bases in Alaska do not allow phone use while driving
  • Prepare: review maps and directions before you start; pull over to check them again
  • Secure your pets properly before you start to drive
  • Keep kids safe: pull over to a safe location to deal with children in the car
  • Focus: don't smoke, eat, drink, read, or watch videos while driving
Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Know state and local laws before you drive. Some states and localities prohibit handheld cell phones.

Handbook p. 29 ↗

Know the rule

Cell phones, eating, grooming, and playing music extremely loud all contribute to crashes.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Put it into practice

Your phone buzzes with a text while you're on the Glenn Highway. Don't pick it up. Ask a passenger to read and answer it, or wait until you can pull over to a safe area.

Put it into practice

Your toddler drops a toy and starts screaming. Don't reach into the back seat while driving. Pull over to a safe location, then deal with it.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What does Alaska law prohibit regarding visual screen devices while driving?
  1. Operating one while driving is illegal
  2. Nothing, they are fully legal to use
  3. Only using them above 45 mph is illegal
  4. Only using them in a school zone is illegal

Answer: Operating one while driving is illegal

It is illegal to drive with a visual screen device operating.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
According to the handbook's distraction tips, what should you do before you start driving?
  1. Leave your phone on speaker at full volume
  2. Turn your phone off or set it to silent
  3. Set an away message after you're already driving
  4. Keep your phone in your lap for quick access

Answer: Turn your phone off or set it to silent

The first tip is to turn your phone off or switch it to silent before you get in the car.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
If you need to make a phone call while behind the wheel, what does the handbook recommend?
  1. Use one hand to dial while braking with the other
  2. Ask a passenger to hold the phone to your ear
  3. Pull over to a safe area first
  4. Slow down slightly and continue driving

Answer: Pull over to a safe area first

The handbook recommends pulling over to a safe area before making a call.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
What is texting while driving in Alaska?
  1. Illegal
  2. Legal at speeds under 25 mph
  3. Legal if using voice-to-text only
  4. Legal on rural roads only

Answer: Illegal

Texting while driving is prohibited by Alaska law.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
It is illegal in Alaska to drive with a visual screen device operating.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Alaska law prohibits driving with a visual screen device operating.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
The handbook recommends asking a passenger to make a phone call for you instead of doing it yourself while driving.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

One of the distraction tips is to use your passengers to make calls for you.

Handbook p. 29 ↗
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