Distractions inside the vehicle — Rhode Island Permit Test

Passengers can be very distracting, and the risk of a collision rises with each additional passenger; for a teen driver, one teen passenger doubles the chance of a fatal crash.

A car full of friends talking and laughing pulls a new driver's eyes and mind away from the road again and again.

Research shows that for each additional passenger, the risk of a collision increases dramatically.

Each time a driver adjusts the radio or a podcast app, the risk of a collision increases, because it takes the hands off the wheel, the eyes off the road, or both.

Scrolling for the next song takes a hand off the wheel and your eyes off the car braking ahead.

However, research shows that each time a driver adjusts the radio/podcast apps, the risk of a collision increases.

Talking on a phone takes mental effort, and drivers talking on phones often vary their speed and weave along the road.

A driver deep in a call drifts toward the shoulder and slows down without noticing.

Drivers talking on wireless communication devices frequently vary their speed and weave along the roadway.

A hands-free phone is not safer: research shows no difference in risk between hand-held and hands-free use.

A headset frees your hand, but the call still takes your mind off the road just as much.

While a hands-free device may initially appear to be less distracting, research indicates no differences in risk between the two modes.

Text messaging is even riskier than talking on a cell phone, because the driver must both look at the phone and work the keypad.

Typing a reply takes your eyes and a hand off driving at the same time, not just your mind.

Evidence suggests that text messaging is even riskier than talking on a cell phone, as text messaging often requires the driver to both look at the phone and manipulate the keypad with one’s hands.

Other distractions inside the vehicle include eating, drinking, grooming, adjusting controls such as the climate system, and attending to pets.

A dog climbing into the front seat can pull your eyes and a hand away right as traffic stops.

Additional causes of distractions inside the vehicle include eating, drinking, grooming, adjusting vehicle controls such as climate systems, and attending to pets.

What does research show about the number of passengers and a driver's collision risk?

Risk rises with each one added. A car full of friends talking and laughing pulls a new driver's eyes and mind away from the road again and again. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.18: “Research shows that for each additional passenger, the risk of a collision increases dramatically.”