(Newswire.net — September 23, 2017) — Distracted driving isn’t an isolated problem that only affects teenagers and reckless drivers. It’s a widespread national crisis that affects thousands of lives each year. If you aren’t actively doing your part to curb distracted driving, you’re part of the problem.
5 Tips for Staying Focused on the Road
“Distractions in the form of cellphones and texting have gained significant media attention as a cause of car accidents, but distraction can take many forms,” Murphy Law Firm explains. “Eating, changing radio stations, using a GPS unit, looking for something in the vehicle, or simply talking to other passengers can all result in a driver failing to pay proper attention to the road — and causing a crash.”
If you’re serious about distracted driving, you have to be conscious about the seemingly small things you’re doing when behind the wheel. Here are some tips to help you stay focused.
1. Silence Your Phone
One of the worst things you can do for your focus is set your phone in your lap or next to you on the center console. Every time it lights up or dings, you’re naturally drawn to look at it. Even if you quickly look and then return your eyes to the road, this brief second is long enough to put you at risk.
Make all the phone calls and texts you need to send before you crank up the car and then put your device on silent. Once you arrive at your destination, you can respond to anything you missed.
2. Appoint a Designated Texter
Everyone is familiar with the concept of a designated driver in situations where you’ve been drinking, but what about a designated texter? If you can’t just silence your phone, appoint a passenger to text for you. This allows you to stay in touch without taking your eyes off the road.
3. Set Your Destination Ahead of Time
Believe it or not, GPS devices – whether standalone or integrated into your smartphone – can be hugely distracting. Sure, they serve a purpose and help you get where you need to be, but you shouldn’t be fumbling around with it in the middle of your drive. Set the destination before you turn the ignition and leave it alone. If you need to change something, pull over or ask a passenger to help.
4. Never Eat and Drive
According to research curated by DecidetoDrive.com, 70 percent of drivers admit to eating while driving on a regular basis. Why does this matter? Well, research also shows that a driver who is drinking or eating is 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who aren’t eating or drinking.
While you may think you’re saving some time on a road trip by eating in the car, you’re really just putting your safety at risk. Spend the extra 7 to 10 minutes it takes to eat the burger in the fast food restaurant and then return to the wheel with 100 percent focus.
5. Pull Off the Road and Rest
According to research involving adult drivers in America, 37 percent of people admit to falling asleep or nodding off at the wheel. Roughly 13 percent say they do so at least once per month.
As you can imagine, drowsy driving is the ultimate form of distracted driving. If you ever find yourself nodding off, pull over and rest for a while. If you don’t have the time to rest, grab a cup of coffee and give yourself a few minutes to get caffeinated before returning to the road.
Don’t Let Distractions Get the Best of You
Nobody gets behind the wheel of their car and says, “Man, I sure hope I can find some distractions during today’s drive.” But even though you aren’t actively seeking them out, distractions are ever-present. Implement a proactive plan and you’ll stand a better chance of staying focused while on the road.