Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is dangerous and can be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,744 people were lost their lives in 2015 alone and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Any time you take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel, you are guilty of distracted driving. It is important to avoid all distractions when driving, regardless of how minor it seems. We have put together some of the best advice for avoiding distracted driving and keeping yourself and others safe on the road.
6 Distracted Driving Tips
- Stay off the phone. Texting is the most common distraction to drivers. When sending or reading a text, you take your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
- Know where you are going before driving. Make sure you set your GPS or smart phone navigation before you start driving. Review your route so you are aware of any unexpected detours along the way.
- Avoid eating or drinking while driving. Yes, with busy schedules, it is hard to avoid drinking your coffee or eating a quick lunch on the go, but try. According to a Lytx study in 2014, a driver who is drinking or eating is 3.6 times more likely to be in an automobile crash than attentive drivers who are not eating or drinking while driving.
- Secure pets and kids before beginning your drive. Kids and pets can often distract you from your task of driving. Make sure your kids and pets are secured before you take off and stay secured the entire time you are driving. If they need attention, pull over to a safe place to tend to them.
- If sleepy, pull over. We’ve all been there: pushing through those last few miles on a long trip, or driving home after a late shift yawning all the way. Never drive when you’re too tired.
- Enlist passengers to help you stay focused on driving. Let your passengers know that your number one priority is focusing on the road. Have them help with turning the radio stations or navigating if at all possible.
Any activity that keeps your eyes and mind off the road is a distraction. Take your time while you are driving and remember your main concern is to keep yourself and your passengers’ safe while on the road. Your safety is important to all of us here at Lenz-Balder!