Roadwise States Connecticut Driving lessons Distracted driving Connecticut driving lesson · Impairment, Distraction & Aggressive Driving
Distracted driving A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Impairment, Distraction & Aggressive Driving
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 29 A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving — your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task. Your eyes can look right at something and miss it when your mind is elsewhere. If a distraction causes a crash, it's on you.
Distraction Anything that takes your attention away from driving. Mental activities that take your mind off driving are just as dangerous as looking away or taking your hands off the wheel.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Distractions inside the vehicle: Dialing or talking on a cell phone Adjusting radio, CD or climate controls, or the dashboard control panel Using GPS/navigation systems or DVD players Grooming — shaving, applying makeup, combing hair Talking to passengers; attending to children or pets Eating, drinking or smoking Reading maps or other literature Picking up something that fell Handbook p. 29 ↗ Distractions outside the vehicle: Outside traffic and vehicles Police pulling someone over; a crash scene Sunlight or sunset People or objects in the roadway Road construction Billboards or other road advertisements Handbook p. 29 ↗ Avoid distractions: Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers Leave early so you can stop to eat instead of eating while driving Buckle children properly and give them books, toys or games Secure pets in a carrier or portable kennel before moving Adjust controls before the trip or at normal stops, or ask a passenger Review maps and plan your route first; to check a map, stop in a safe parking area Don't talk with friends in other vehicles or wear headphones to listen to music Handbook p. 29 ↗ Signs another driver is distracted: Drifting over lane lines or within their own lane Traveling at inconsistent speeds Busy with maps, food, cigarettes or cell phones Arguing with passengers Handbook p. 29 ↗ 3 to 4 seconds Following distance to keep behind a driver who seems distracted
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Know the rule
Be very careful passing a distracted driver — they may not know you're there and could drift in front of you.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Know the rule
You are completely and solely responsible for operating your vehicle safely, including everything that happens inside it. If you're distracted and crash, the responsibility falls on you, not the distraction.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Put it into practice
The car ahead keeps drifting toward the lane line and speeding up and slowing down. Its driver is probably distracted. Drop back to a 3–4 second following distance and pass only with extra care, if at all.
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 following distance should you give a driver who appears distracted? 10 car lengths minimum No extra distance is necessary At least 2 seconds 3 to 4 seconds Answer: 3 to 4 seconds
Give a distracted driver plenty of room and maintain a safe following distance of 3 to 4 seconds.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Who is legally responsible if a driver crashes while distracted by something inside the vehicle? The manufacturer of the distracting device The passenger who caused the distraction The driver, regardless of the distraction The driver and passenger equally Answer: The driver, regardless of the distraction
You are completely and solely responsible for operating your vehicle safely; if distracted and you crash, responsibility falls on you.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Which of these is listed as a possible distraction that can occur inside a moving vehicle? Checking your speedometer Adjusting the climate controls Watching pedestrians on a sidewalk Reading a highway mile marker Answer: Adjusting the climate controls
Adjusting radio, compact disc, or climate controls is listed as a possible in-vehicle distraction.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ What sign might indicate that another driver near you is distracted? They have their headlights on during the day They are driving exactly the speed limit They are using a turn signal correctly They drift over the lane lines Answer: They drift over the lane lines
Watch for vehicles that drift over lane divider lines or within their own lane, a sign of a distracted driver.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ What should you do before starting a trip to reduce the temptation to adjust vehicle controls while driving? Adjust them only when traffic is light Wait until highway speed to make adjustments Adjust vehicle controls before you begin your trip Adjust them by feel without looking Answer: Adjust vehicle controls before you begin your trip
Adjust vehicle controls before you begin your trip, or take advantage of normal stops to adjust them.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ What should you do with pets before moving your vehicle? Secure them in a carrier or kennel Let them roam freely in the back seat Hold them in your lap while driving Let them ride in the front seat Answer: Secure them in a carrier or kennel
Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel before moving your vehicle.
Handbook p. 29 ↗ Previous lesson Fatigue and drowsy driving Next lesson Aggressive driving and road rage More in Impairment, Distraction & Aggressive Driving About the source Roadwise’s Connecticut course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 29. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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