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Topic 4 · Section 41

Common Distractions and How to Avoid Them

📱 Cell Phones

  • Put the phone away while driving. Use Do Not Disturb mode to eliminate temptation.
  • If using GPS, set your route before you drive and use a dashboard mount.
  • Never text or handle your phone while driving — it’s illegal and dangerous.
  • Even hands-free calls can be mentally distracting — keep them brief, or pull over if it’s urgent.

🎛 Infotainment Systems

  • Adjust radio, climate controls, and navigation before driving, or let a passenger help.
  • Preset stations and learn to use voice commands for minimal screen interaction.

🍔 Eating and Drinking

  • Avoid eating while driving — spills or wrappers can divert attention.
  • If necessary, choose neat, simple snacks and wait for a safe moment.
  • Never reach down to pick something up — wait until you’re safely stopped.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Passengers

  • Teen drivers: passengers significantly increase risk, which is why the provisional license restricts them.
  • Set boundaries like, “Guys, I need to focus — let’s keep it down.”
  • Young children: if they need attention, pull over safely — don’t turn around while driving.

🎶 Music and Audio

  • Keep volume at a level where you can still hear sirens or horns.
  • Avoid fiddling with playlists or streaming apps while driving — create a driving playlist ahead of time.

💄 Grooming and Other Tasks

  • Don’t multitask with makeup, shaving, or similar while driving — it’s dangerously common.
  • Do these before your trip or pull over if it’s truly necessary.

☁️ Daydreaming

  • If you realize you’ve zoned out and don’t remember the last few minutes, refocus immediately.
  • On long drives, take breaks or engage with a podcast or music that keeps your mind alert.

🐕 Pets

  • Always secure pets with a harness, seatbelt, or crate — never allow them to roam freely.
  • A loose animal can interfere with pedals or visibility, and is also a hazard in a crash.

👀 Outside Distractions

  • Avoid rubbernecking at crash scenes or watching roadside activity.
  • Stay focused on the road — passengers can look, not you.
  • Be ready for others to stop or slow unexpectedly in these situations.

Check you have it

179 practice questions cover defensive driving and safe driving practices, each explaining the reasoning behind its answer.

Practise this topic

Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025). Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.

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