Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents throughout the United States. In fact, CDC reports that distracted driving claims over 3,000 lives each year while injuring more than 430,000 people.
As grim as these statistics appear, they barely tell the whole story. Truth is it is difficult to establish the exact number of car accidents that are attributable to distracted driving. Here are three basic things you can do to help boost your focus behind the wheels.
Switch off or keep your phone in silent mode while driving
A ringing or a beeping phone is likely to send dopamine to your brain. As a result, you are likely to reach for your handset. However, if you cannot hear your phone ring or vibrate, you will barely think about grabbing it while driving.
So, switch off your phone, mute the volume or put it on “flight mode” while driving. And if you can, lock up that gadget in the glove compartment or throw it over in the back seat while driving.
Contain your pet
Most people love the idea of driving with their pets on their lap. However, this is never a great idea. Any uncontained pet, especially a larger dog, be severely hurt in the event of an accident. Additionally, an uncontained animal is likely to move about causing a serious distraction to the driver.
If you are traveling with your pet, be sure to secure them using a harness, a crate or a dog car seat. And try to keep them in the backseat as much as possible to prevent them from jumping onto your lap or obstructing your vision while driving.
Pullover when eating
If you are hungry, do not grab a bite while driving. Instead, find somewhere safe to pull over so you can take your meal. The same applies if you have to make a call or text someone, or if you want to find directions via your phone’s GPS.
Driving, like any other activity, comes with its share of dangers. Find out how you can protect your interests and legal rights if you are involved in a car accident that was not your fault.