5 Ways to Combat Distracted Driving

Texting

We’ll start with the big one; texting. While many people pride themselves in their abilities to multi task, texting while driving isn’t a skill you should be proud of. When you’re texting behind the wheel your attention isn’t 100% on the road and your surroundings, your main focus is replying to your text. While talking on the phone while driving is also dangerous, you can at least do that without having to take your hands off the wheel. But texting requires that you have at least one hand off the wheel, which is a recipe for disaster. When you’re getting in the car, set your phone on silent and place it somewhere that you won’t be tempted to grab it.

Eating

Another big one is eating while driving. Eating while driving also causes you to take at least one hand off the wheel, and let’s not talk about those that attempt to steer with their knees. The best way to combat this is to eat before you get in your car, or wait and eat after you’ve arrived.

Passengers

Passengers can cause many distractions, whether they’re talking to you, talking to each other, or have the music up to max volume. Passenger distractions in your driving take your focus away from the road and your safety, as well as theirs. If you notice you’re having trouble focusing due to passengers, have a conversation with them that you’re overwhelmed and need to focus on the road to keep everyone safe.

Grooming

I can’t tell you the amount of people I have passed on the road that were doing their makeup. Visor completely down in their field of vision, looking at themselves and putting lipstick or foundation on. Your eyes are completely off the road, and your hand is off the wheel. Always try to get your appearance ready to go before you begin driving or after you’re done driving. Trust me; the lipstick won’t matter if you’re thrown through your windshield.

Navigation

Seems like everyone has built in navigation on their phones anymore, and if not their phones, then their vehicles will have it. But trying to adjust your destination while driving is a recipe for disaster, and completely avoidable. Getting your destination ready before you get behind the wheel is ideal, but we’ve all heard the infamous “re routing” voice. In those cases just pull off to the side of the road, or take an exit, to get your route back to where you need it to be.

There are many things on the road that you have no control over, but you always have control of your distractions. By minimizing those distractions your help keep yourself, your family and the other drivers much safer.

-Jordan Newcomer

Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent