Vlogging While Driving: What’s the Big Deal?

Everyone knows the dangers of texting while driving, but now there is another equally dangerous trend – vlogging while driving.

What is Vlogging?

A vlog is a blog in video form. Vlogging involves anyone talking to a camera mounted on their dashboard to create videos. While the behavior may seem safe because it’s hands-free, an internationally recognized expert on distracted driving says it’s anything but.

“The research is absolutely clear. Hands-free is not safe,” said Paul Atchley, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida, who has been studying distracted driving for more than 20 years. “It’s your brain that’s the problem, not touching a phone. And we know when your brain is engaged by a phone call – even a hands-free one – the risk for a car crash increases.”

Erie Insurance showed Atchley several videos gaining buzz online – they show influencers looking back and forth between their camera and the road.

The answer, says Atchley, is that multi-tasking is a myth. People can switch back and forth between tasks, but can truly only do one thing at a time. And vlogging behind the wheel is extra dangerous because it encompasses all types of distractions.

“As a car insurer that wants everyone on the roads to be safe, Erie Insurance keeps on top of the latest driving trends,” said Jon Bloom, senior vice president, personal products at Erie Insurance. “This one is particularly troubling because the people doing it probably think it’s safe since it’s hands-free.”

Different Types of Distractions

• Manual: Manual distraction is taking hands off the wheel.
• Visual: Visual is looking at the camera instead of the road.
• Cognitive: Cognitive distraction is “performing” for the camera instead of focusing on driving.

Learn more about the dangers of vlogging while driving in the video below.

There are no specific laws against talking to a camera mounted on a dashboard while driving, but 24 states and Washington, D.C. prohibit using hand-held cell phones while driving and 36 states and Washington, D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers.

Avoid Getting Distracted

Here are a few tips from Atchley to avoid distracted driving and help you stay safe on the road:

• Put your phone in a safe driving mode to reduce distractions. For example, turn off notifications and set up GPS prior to heading out for turn-by-turn directions so you can avoid having to look down at your phone.
• Listen to a radio show or a podcast. It will help keep you alert but your mind will automatically tune it out when it needs to.
• Consider carpooling with another experienced driver to share driving duties and have a second set of eyes that can spot things you might otherwise miss. Conversations in a vehicle, not on a phone call, will ebb and flow with traffic demands.
• Play verbal road games such as “I Spy” to keep your mind focused on the road and defensive driving.

Protect You and Your Car from Distracted Driving

Staying safe on the road is important. It’s also important to have the right insurance coverage on your vehicle. Our independent Insurance agents promise to be there to help you get insurance that you can be comfortable with – insurance that fits your needs and your budget. Find a local agent today.