It’s easy to be distracted when you drive. Your favorite song comes on the radio, and you just have to sing along and provide some percussion. Your passenger tells you a juicy piece of gossip or starts an argument. Your children start to fight in the back seat. Your dog wants to sit on your lap. Your cellphone rings. You notice a billboard or the driver in the car next to you who is putting on make-up. You’re tired, too tired to be driving, and your mind begins to wander. You drop your burger on your lap. The driver in the car behind you is riding your bumper and you can’t take your eyes off the rear-view mirror.
While the measurements of traffic accidents caused by distraction are imprecise, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimates that driver distraction was involved in 16% of all fatal crashes in 2009 and 20% of injury crashes.It’s a challenge to keep your focus on your driving, and we challenge you to do just that. Here are some ways to avoid driving while distracted:
- Allow voice mail to handle all incoming calls
- Pull off the road to a safe area to make calls.
- Ask a passenger to make or receive calls.
- Stay focused and pay attention!
- Limit interaction with passengers
- Avoid talking while driving
- Avoid taking your eyes off the road
- Keep both hands on the wheel
- Don’t daydream.
- Don’t drive if you are tired.
- Share the driving responsibilities on long trips
- Don’t drive when angry or upset.
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