Why is short-term memory so important while driving?
With so much on the go these days, it’s a wonder we can focus on our driving each time we get behind the wheel. We’re often thinking about where we’re going, what we need to do when we get there or who we need to contact when we get there. The reality is, that can all wait until we get there. It’s no secret every second we’re behind the wheel we need to think about what’s coming up the road but there’s something else. We need to remember what we just did or saw.
Short term memory is a huge part of what we need in order to become a good driver. Oh sure, we can say we have a good memory, but, how good is it really? For example, you may check your mirror quite often out of habit, but do you remember what you saw in order to make a good driving decision?
It’s a good habit to check your mirrors regularly, including every block or so and before slowing down. If a vehicle is close to you and you need to brake firmly, that may cause that vehicle to rear end your vehicle. If you check your mirror and notice they are traveling too close to you, knowing you can’t brake firmly and knowing you need to brake early and more gradually may help you to avoid being rear ended when you must come to a stop. Short term memory is needed to help you to remember what you saw in your mirror, so you’ll know to adjust your driving to accommodate to what you saw.
There is a difference between short term memory and long-term memory. Short term memory may last up to 30 seconds. Turning short term memory into long term memory involves time and repetition. Knowing when to use long term memory is referred to as working memory. Working memory is a limited ability which is responsible for temporarily retaining information, which can be made available for processing while in the middle of an activity. Working memory is important for analysis and any decision-making events, such as driving.
Even if you’re focused on your driving task and use the good habits to drive with, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve remembered what you’ve seen in order to make good driving choices. If your short-term memory is failing you, is there anything you can do to help improve your short-term memory? Yes, there is, but it can take time. Changes to your diet can help improve your short-term memory, as well as getting enough sleep, doing some meditation and exercise. Another proven way to improve your short-term memory is training your brain.
A cognitive assessment will give you a better idea of just how strong or weak your 
short-term memory is. Some training programs can also offer you cognitive training to help you improve. For example, there’s a cognitive training program called Cognifit which provides an assessment of your abilities and then configures a personalized training program you do online to help improve your short-term memory. There are fixes to having a short-term memory problem. You just have to be committed enough to work on it for a long-term duration.