Tips to Reduce Distracted Driving

Taking your eyes off the road to reach for your phone and read a text while driving is all the time it takes to find yourself in a car crash. According to the National Safety Council, as many as 42,060 people are estimated to have died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. 

Texting and driving is one of the most common and dangerous distracted driving habits, though there are many other ways you could be putting yourself and others at risk. Here are some tips that you can use to reduce driving distractions and keep yourself and the ones you love safe. 

No Electronics

Please stow away all of your electronics. Yes, including your cell phone. Most cars are now equipped with hand-free phone pairing that allows drivers to answer emergency calls while they drive. Try placing your electronic devices in the middle console or glove box. You could also utilize the “do not disturb” feature in your phone, which stops incoming texts from notifying your phone. Our experienced car accident attorneys recommend only using phones for emergency purposes, such as calling for the police or ambulance. 

Adjust Before Driving

Before hitting the road, make all the adjustments needed to your mirrors, seat position, sound system, etc. Driving is not the time to be multitasking. Also, if you need to use a navigation system to chart your travels, enter the directions to your GPS device before you start driving.

Efficient Snacking

Eating while driving is not a habit you should make, as you can take your hands off the wheel or spill your food and get distracted. If you absolutely need to eat on the road to save time, bring items that are not messy and are easy to hold with one hand, like a granola bar.

Buckled Up!

Make sure that any passenger, including children, is wearing a seatbelt at all times. You should confine your pets in some way if they are also along for the ride. The last thing you want is to worry about reaching toward a passenger while you’re losing control of your vehicle. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, Hernandez Law is here to help you get the compensation you deserve and the most effortless recovery possible. Call our offices during regular business hours to get a free consultation today!