How Many Meters Does a Driver Travel Blindly When Distracted for One Second?
2 Answers
If driving at a speed of 120 km/h, it is equivalent to approximately 30 meters. The following are behaviors that lead to distracted driving: Minor driving actions: Previous statistics have shown that the leading cause of accidents is 'actions that hinder safe driving,' accounting for over 40% of all accidents, commonly referred to as 'minor driving actions.' These include picking up items while driving, chatting on WeChat, operating the navigation system, smoking, drinking water, or even swatting mosquitoes inside the car. Using a mobile phone: Using a phone while driving, such as making or receiving calls, sending or receiving text messages, or using WeChat; bending over to pick up items; eating while driving; setting up or constantly checking the navigation system; being overly engaged in conversations with other passengers; some male drivers smoking while driving, with the smoke affecting visibility; some female drivers applying makeup, fixing their hair, or applying facial masks while driving.
I've helped people calculate this many times. At a typical urban speed of 60 kilometers per hour, the car travels 16.7 meters every second. This means if you glance down at your phone for just one second, your car has already blindly covered a distance equivalent to five or six parking spaces. It's even more dangerous in real driving situations - if a child or electric scooter suddenly darts out in front of you, there's simply no time to react. Some experienced drivers think slow speeds are safe, but even at 30 km/h (8.3 meters per second), accidents can still happen in residential areas. My advice: toss your phone in the glove compartment when you get in the car. Developing this habit could save your life.
