If you let yourself get distracted behind the wheel, you reduce your response time and ability to cope with changing situations. That's why it's important to stay focused and in control at all times, especially when you have the responsibility of other passengers.

When we first learn to drive, it can be daunting to realize just how many things require our attention, from checking mirrors to changing gears and even regulating heating. However, once driving becomes more relaxed and intuitive, it can be easy to become distracted and fail to give the task its due attention.

Driving involves complex co-ordination between your mind and body with the vehicle, meaning distractions can be both mental, when you let your mind drift off, and physical, when your hands are occupied and away from the wheel. There are also visual distractions that can take your mind off the road at critical times, whether you're just glancing at a passing attraction or carrying out an unwise activity such as attempting to read a map while in control of the car.

The increasing number of car features and types of equipment available can add fuel to driver distractions, as even a simple task such as switching between radio stations or changing a track on an MP3 player requires a free hand, visual checks and mental processes to determine the song you want to hear. While these are relatively quick and minor distractions, others - such as cell phone use, which takes your hands and concentration away from the vehicle for an extended time - can be significantly more dangerous.

In today's climate, it can be important to be on call at all times, but that's no reason to endanger your life by taking cell phone calls behind the wheel. Whether you let the call go through to voicemail or pull over and park at a safe location, you can avoid the dangers of rising distraction levels that come from dialing, talking and listening. Eating, drinking and smoking are similarly areas to avoid when in control of a vehicle, as these all require frequent use of your hands which need to be at the wheel.

By staying focused and paying attention to the road and your vehicle at all times, you will be in a better position to cope with unexpected events and situations, where fast reflexes could mean the difference between swerving safely to avoid a collision or ending up needing windshield repair or worse.

Peter Rose writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.