WILLIAMSBURG—Scrolling through social media in traffic, chomping on a burger while changing lanes or applying makeup on the drive to work are common motorist distractions that can be observed visually.

“But we never talk about distractions you cannot see,” said Shaina Finkel, program assistant for the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition and past national president of Students Against Destructive Decisions. “Other distractions live in your head when you are stressed, overtired, overwhelmed, burnt out, or diagnosed with a mental condition that genuinely prevents you from the task of being fully focused while driving.”

Finkel was a keynote speaker at the 12th annual DRIVE SMART Virginia Distracted Driving Summit in Williamsburg Aug. 7-8. Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is a conference sponsor.

Not all mental distractions are associated with negativity or stress, she continued.

“Maybe you just got a promotion and you’re so excited, driving as fast as you can home to tell everyone in your family,” Finkel said. “Your phone is tucked away, your eyes are on the road, your hand is on the wheel, but your mind is entirely somewhere else.”

Conference panelists shared data collected on cognitive function and reaction times in drivers with conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. Some of these motorists may have higher distraction potential and crash risk.

Meanwhile, Generation Z is vocal about mental health and anxiety topics, Finkel said.

“I know what it’s like to be behind the wheel driving and not be OK,” she said. “I’m too anxious, stressed, irritable or angry. I should not be driving right now.”

Not only should those emotions be acknowledged, she said, “You have to take actionable steps to address that situation. We can only do better when we are brave enough to break down stigmas.”

She recommended thinking about three self-check questions before driving:

• Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious or emotionally distracted right now?
• Are you feeling overly excited and generally restless?
• What is something you can do to reset right now before driving?

If stressed or jittery before driving, she suggested drivers ground themselves with exercises that engage the senses. She said to think about what you can see, hear and feel. Then take deep breaths and focus on one word, like breathe.

“In under one minute, we’ve assessed where we’re at,” Finkel said. “And we brought ourselves back to the present environment.”

Media: Contact Finkel at 850-570-8879; or Rich Jacobs, DSV communications, at 804-929-2988.