No one can multi-task when driving

Re Driving skills are at an all-time low, Letter, Aug. 16 I read the letter from James Rae regarding the column by Ari Goldkind and the corresponding letter from Gord Tewnion about distracted driving.

Mr. Rae is incorrect in assuming some people can “multi-task efficiently.” As a safe-driving instructor and expert, I understand the importance of not allowing yourself to become distracted while driving.

Distracted driving is fast becoming the leading cause of traffic fatalities precisely because people cannot multi-task. The OPP have been providing statistics on this trend and, finally, auto manufacturers are starting to worry about this disturbing fact.

What people refer to as multi-tasking is really the human brain jumping from one task to another but not doing both at the same time. While motoring, the driver would be alternating between processing a conversation (in car, cellphone or texting) and processing driving information.

In other words, their brain will either process the conversation or driving information but not both at the same time. This is what happened with Mr. Tewnion when he drove through the red light. At that moment he was processing his conversation and not the fact he was at a red light and not a stop sign.

The most important task a driver should be doing is processing driving information, not a conversation or deciding what needs to be done at work, what to wear for the big date or what to have for lunch. Missing critical driving information can be fatal.

Those who believe they are capable of processing both a conversation and driving information at the same time are only fooling themselves, with often grave consequences.

Police, safe-driving advocates and victims are asking all motorists to please put the phone down and pay attention. Ian M. Law, ILR Car Control School, Mount Albert