How to Prevent Passengers From Creating a Distraction

Staying Focused on the Road Instead of Your Passengers

In 2018, there were about 4.5 million people injured in car accidents throughout the United States. Many accidents are caused by human error, such as driving while distracted by a passenger. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to keep your focus on the road at all times.

Give Passengers Something to Keep Them Occupied

The best way to keep passengers from being a distraction while driving is to give them something to do during the trip. If you are taking a road trip with friends, you could have them check a paper map for famous landmarks or restaurants that may be worth stopping at. You could also ask them to program your GPS to find the fastest route through a city or state. This will keep them focused on a fun or important task as opposed to talking to you or otherwise causing trouble. If you have kids in the car, ask them to read a book or listen to music through their headphones until it is time to stop.

Keep Vehicle Occupants to a Minimum

If possible, try to limit yourself to one or two passengers on a given trip. This may prevent you from having to glance at the rear of the vehicle to answer a question or break up a fight. If you have multiple children with you in a vehicle, keep them far enough apart so that they can't physically touch each other. Doing so may be enough to prevent bored or stressed kids from fighting or arguing with each other.

Keep Pets Secure

There may be times when your passenger will be an animal instead of a human. When taking your animal to the vet, be sure that it is properly secured in the rear of the vehicle. This ensures that your furry friend won't wander into the front seat or otherwise move around in the vehicle. Knowing that your animal friend is comfortable and secure will make it less likely that your focus will be split between current road conditions and worrying about a pet.

Ask Your Passengers Politely to Be Quiet

If a passenger is taking actions that are making it difficult to concentrate, you can simply ask that individual to stop being distracting. This could mean asking that person to stop talking to you or others in the vehicle. It may also be necessary to ask a friend or sibling to stop demanding to change the radio station or ask other favors while you're driving. In the event that a passenger can't behave, it might a good idea to not ride with that person in the future.

Make It Easier for Passengers to Sleep

Someone who is riding with you to work or school may be less distracting if he or she is allowed to sleep through the trip. This can also be an effective way to keep children from being obnoxious on a longer road trip. You can make it easier for people to nap in your car by providing them with pillows or blankets. It might also be a good idea to turn the radio down or turn the heat up in the vehicle on a cold morning.

Don't Make Eye Contact With Others

If someone is trying to talk to you, it may be best to simply ignore that person and look directly at the road ahead. At some point, your friend, sibling or child will get the hint that you don't want to talk. While you can take steps to be a more attentive motorist, you can't prevent other people from driving while distracted. If you've been hurt by a distracted driver, contact a Philadelphia car accident attorney at Metzger & Kleiner. Our firm works hard to obtain maximum compensation for clients. You can reach a Philadelphia car accident attorney by calling (215) 567-6616 or sending a fax to (215) 561-6326.