Car Accident Lawyer
While automobiles are a lot safer than they were a decade and safer than over a century when they were first created, that doesn’t mean accidents still don’t happen. Even the latest safety features can’t always account for mishaps like human error. One problem that continues to persist is distracted driving. Distracted driving can take many forms, but we often associate it with texting and driving. We’ll explore five ways you can avoid distracted driving.
Put the Phone Down
The best way to avoid distracted driving is by putting the phone away. Having your phone within reach is simply too much of a distraction. Since we usually have our phones on us 24/7, hearing our phone vibrate with a notification can be enough to make us want to check it—whether it’s a spam email or an important text message from your best friend. Keep your phone silent, out of reach, or even turned off. If you do need to make a call, pull off to the side of the road or into a parking lot.
Leave Early Enough
Distracted driving can also occur when we try to multitask while driving. For example, eating breakfast while driving, self-grooming like applying makeup, or even cramming for a college quiz can all be examples. To avoid these dangerous risks, give yourself enough time in the morning so that you can accomplish these tasks before you reach your destination.
Only Drive in the Right State of Mind
Whether you’re driving around the corner or halfway across the country, driving requires a lot of mental focus. As such, you always want to drive when you’re in the right state of mind. As such, never drive when you’re exhausted, have too much to drink at the bar, got in a recent argument with your significant other, etc.
Make a Playlist Before Driving
For many drivers, not having music playing or another form of audio stimulation—such as an audiobook—can be borderline torture. Long commutes almost necessitate playing music, especially if you’re the only one in the vehicle. However, constantly sifting through songs to find the right one is not only annoying but can be deadly. To avoid this problem, be sure to have a carefully selected playlist before driving. Or you can choose to listen to an audiobook by your favorite author. In fact, having multiple options is highly recommended, especially for long drives.
Limit the Number of Passengers
The fact is the more passengers in your vehicle, the more chaotic and distracting the drive can get. Of course, sometimes having a full vehicle is unavoidable, but at the very least, there should be some ground rules. Ground rules may include not listening to loud music, no arguments, and keeping the volume down. You should have a trusted passenger that reinforces these rules to ensure the best experience possible. Unfortunately, however, sometimes a car accident can occur, meaning you need to call a car accident lawyer—something our friends at Patterson Bray PLLC know about.