We might think that we are good at multitasking when we drive but neurobiology tells a different story. The multitasking myth contributes to the risk of being involved in a collision because our brain is not wired to do it.
The Science: It’s Task Switching, Not Multitasking
This interesting short cartoon from Toyota and TED explains this fundamental limitation of our brain. We are not processing two tasks at the same time, we are really task switching.
When we look at our phones or other electronic devices our brains must disengage from the road and re-engage with the screen. We are actually blind to both tasks during this split second "switch cost." At highway speeds this split second may mean the difference between avoiding a collision and becoming involved in one.
The Danger of Inattention Blindness
The most dangerous part of distracted driving isn't just taking your eyes off the wheel; it’s the cognitive load. Even with "hands-free" technology, your brain can suffer from inattention blindness. You can be looking directly at a cyclist or a red light, but because your brain is busy processing a conversation or a notification, it fails to "see" the hazard.
Moving from Distraction to "Monotasking"
To stay safe, we need to embrace monotasking. This means:
- Declaring the car a phone-free zone: Put your device in the glove box or use "Driving Mode."
- Pre-programming your environment: Set your GPS and your playlist before the car leaves the driveway.
- Respecting the mental effort of driving: Acknowledge that driving a 2,000kg machine is a full-time job for your brain.
The Bottom Line
You aren't bad at multitasking, you're human. By understanding the limits of our biology, we can make the choice to focus on the one thing that matters most: driving safely.
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