One in four women surveyed admitted to doing their makeup in the car, mostly at red lights. But what happens when the light turns green? The International Drivers Association team identifies the tough lessons and the shocking numbers of tragedies caused by this common yet overlooked distraction, offering simple and practical advice to prevent tragic turns.
Never Apply Makeup at Red Lights, Experts Warn
What if the swipe of an eyeliner brush contributed to a grim statistic? It appears so, as a startlingly high one in four women admitted to doing their makeup in the car, typically during red lights. But as the hues darken on the lips and cheeks, the reality turns increasingly grave when the light turns green. This piece delves into the stark lessons and shocking numbers of tragedies triggered by this common yet undervalued distraction while shedding light on viable and practical advice to avert such devastating outcomes.
Laying Bare the Disturbing Truth
Beneath the allure of beauty and convenience, applying makeup during commuting conceals a dark side worthy of attention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed over 3,000 lives in 2017. Adding makeup to the mix only increases the risks and complexity of the problem.
Not Just Illogical, Also Illegal
Engaging in beauty routines while driving doesn’t just pose risks; in numerous jurisdictions, it’s also against the law. Various states classify applying makeup behind the wheel as distracted driving, carrying penalties ranging from fines to points on your license — a significant blow to any individual’s driving record.
Reframing the Beauty Narrative
Julianna Marshall from the International Drivers Association emphasizes, “Driving demands undivided attention. Every distraction, however minute, can have fatal implications. It’s time we regard personal grooming activities during driving in the same light as texting or drunk driving.”
Safety First: How To Combat This Fatal Attraction
- Prioritize Time Management – Time management strategies reduce the incidence of in-car makeup application by 40%, according to driver behavior studies. Allocate adequate time for makeup activities before leaving home. This single step can significantly minimize the urge to apply makeup while driving.
- Mindful Wake-Up Calls – Recognize and remind yourself of the potential dangers of multitasking while driving. Equate applying makeup to more recognized forms of distracted driving, like texting. Increased awareness about the dangers of multitasking reduces makeup-related distracted driving incidents by 30%.
- Fighting Temptation – Placing makeup out of reach decreases the likelihood of in-car cosmetic distractions by 50%, as per observational studies. Eliminate the temptation altogether; keep makeup out of easy reach during journeys.
- Law Enforcement – Remain aware of legal consequences related to distracted driving in your state or country to act as constant deterrents. Jurisdictions with strict enforcement against distracted driving report a 20% decrease in makeup-related distractions on the road.
The Choice is Clear
While applying a coat of mascara at a red light might seem harmless, the harsh reality tells a different tale. The allure of beauty can wait, human lives cannot. At the end of the day, the question remains – Where would you rather see beauty’s reflection: In the mirror, or in the untouched lives and undisturbed journeys of roadway users everywhere?
Report courtesy of: https://internationaldriversassociation.com/