“The Myth of Multitasking and the Psychology of Distracted Driving” Comments, Page 1

While traumatic events can change ones behavior, simply retelling stories does not provide consistent, long-term behavior changes. In this instance, if a loved one dies due to distracted driving, it’s likely to change behavior. Possibly permanently, though it is also possible the person will eventually revert. We keep telling stories about people dying due to distracted driving, but we’re not consistently showing people why they need to change their underlying beliefs about distracted driving. Those underlying beliefs say, “It won’t happen to me.” “I can ____ and drive.” “I’m a safe driver.” “I’ve never been in a serious accident.” All which provide the basis for which the behaviors are motivated. Not to mention the profound need to be able to satisfy the mind’s addiction to notifications and information. I fear that we have devolved into a species that cannot actually perform that which is for survival: being able to just be aware of the present task. Our culture things “multi-tasking” is superior, when in reality, time and time again, it has been shown that focused attention produces great results.