In the US, distracted driving is a major issue. Every day, drivers take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel to text, talk on the phone, eat, or do anything else that takes their attention away from driving. Serious accidents and even death may result from this. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for avoiding distracted driving and keeping yourself and others safe on the road!
Think Of The Repercussions
No one thinks that they will get into an accident because they were distracted while driving. However, the reality is that distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in the United States. If you are caught texting or talking on the phone while driving, you could be ticketed or even arrested. If you cause an accident while you are distracted, you could be sued for damages.
In some states, you could even be charged with a crime. A car accident lawyer in Dallas says that if you are involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. It is not worth risking your life or the lives of others by driving distracted. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, and pay attention to what you are doing. If you must make a phone call or send a text, pull over to a safe location first.
Stow Your Phone Away While At The Wheel
If you’re looking for tips on how to avoid distracted driving, one of the best things you can do is to stow your phone away while at the wheel. Whether you put it in the glove compartment, center console, or even in the trunk, making sure your phone is out of reach will help you resist the temptation to use it while driving.
Another helpful tip is to set your phone to silent or vibrate before you start driving. That way, even if you do happen to glance at it, you won’t be tempted to pick it up and answer a call or read a new text message.
If you find yourself frequently succumbing to the temptation of using your phone while driving, there are a few apps you can download that will disable your phone’s features while you’re behind the wheel. Look into an app like DriveSafe Mode, which locks your phone and sends automatic responses to texts and calls, letting people know you’re driving and will get back to them when you’ve arrived at your destination.
Do Not Multitask
On American roads, distracted driving is a deadly epidemic. In 2014, distracted driving claimed the lives of more than three thousand people and injured almost four hundred thousand others. Anything that diverts your focus from operating a vehicle is considered to be distracted driving. This can include talking on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, fiddling with the radio, or even daydreaming.
One of the best ways to avoid distracted driving is to simply not multitask while behind the wheel. It can be tempting to try to do other things while driving, but it’s just not worth the risk. Pull over to a safe area first if you need to do something that requires you to stop driving. It’s also important to avoid distractions before you even start driving.
Make sure your passengers are seated and buckled in, adjust your mirrors and seat, and program your GPS before you start driving. Once you’re on the road, resist the urge to fiddle with anything. If you must make a change, pull over to a safe location first.
If You Are A Passenger Don’t Distract The Driver Too Much
If you are a passenger in the car, don’t distract the driver too much. You may think you are being helpful by pointing things out or keeping up a conversation, but it’s important to remember that the driver needs to focus on the road. If you must talk, keep it brief and focused on neutral topics. And if you see that the driver is getting distracted, politely ask them to focus on the road.
We’ve all been there- you’re driving along and suddenly you realize you have no idea what the last mile or so looked like. Maybe you were daydreaming, maybe you were preoccupied with a problem, or maybe someone in the car was talking your ear off and you tune them out. Whatever the reason, it can be dangerous to zone out while driving. If you find your mind wandering, take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand: driving.
We’ve all had close calls while driving, whether we were the ones being distracted or we were cutting someone else off because we weren’t paying attention. While it may seem like no big deal at the moment, distracted driving is a serious issue that can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death.
Set The Rules On The Road
It’s important to set the rules on the road before you start driving. That means, no texting, no phone calls, and no social media. If you need to use your phone, pull over to a safe spot first. It’s also a good idea to let your passengers know that you’re focused on driving and can’t chat. If they need to talk, they can wait until you’re done driving.
Another way to avoid distracted driving is to keep your eyes on the road. That means no fiddling with the radio, adjusting your GPS, or looking at anything else besides the road in front of you. Neither eating nor drinking should be done while driving. If you’re thirsty or hungry, pull over to a rest stop and take a break.
Finally, if you’re feeling tired or distracted, it’s best to pull over and rest. It’s not worth risking your life or the lives of others by trying to push through when you’re not at your best. If you need to, take a nap or walk around to get some energy. Then, when you’re feeling more focused, you can continue on your journey.
There are many ways to avoid distracted driving. By being aware of the risks, setting the rules before you start driving, and keeping your eyes on the road, you can help keep yourself and others safe. So next time you’re behind the wheel, make sure to stay focused and drive safely.