City of St. Paul Park 

Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off your driving can be a big problem.  In fact, studies prove that your brain cannot give full attention to more than one thing at a time.

Typical distractions:

• Adjusting the radio, CD player, iPOD, CPS system.
• Eating reading a map, watching a movie, shaving putting on makeup.
• Driving an unfamiliar vehicle or route.
• Interacting with other passengers, especially children.
• Using a cell phone--sorry, that includes hands-free!-- or texting.

Manage your distractions with the following steps:

• Secure everyone and everything that could be a distraction.
• don't wait until you are driving to plan your route or attend to grooming.  Plan before you go.  Leave a little earlier--you'll get there less stressed and more safely.
• Preset the climate control, radio, and CD player and identify the location of signals, wipers, and lights in the vehicle.
• Postpone complex or emotional conversations with passengers until you arrive at your destination.
• Pull over where it's safe and legal if a passenger is distracting you, or you need to use your cell phone.
• Take a break when you are hungry or thirsty. 
• Put away distracting materials, such as newspapers, business reports, or day planners, until you arrive at your destination.
• Don't call if you know someone is driving--and don't answer the phone if you're behind the wheel.

"So, what's the difference between talking on a cell phone and talking with passengers?"
Well, here's the big one: a passenger can see the road along with you and can stop talking or alert you to possible hazards. A person on the other end of your cell phone has no clue what's happening as you drive.


source: Minnesota Safety Council