4 Tips for Preventing Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a problem that is growing in severity with cellphone use being one of the most common and dangerous sources of distraction. While many lives have been lost to distracted driving, the good news is that further accidents of this type are preventable if everyone does their part. To keep yourself and everyone around you safe, our Allentown personal injury attorneys have put together these four tips for preventing distracted driving.
1. Don’t Use Your Phone While Driving
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it bears repeating. Using your phone while driving is one of the most common and dangerous forms of distracted driving. In fact, it’s become one of the leading causes of accidents in recent years.
Despite the risks, more and more people are doing it. If you’re one of them, it’s time to stop. Using your phone while driving takes your attention away from the road. Even if you’re just glancing at it for a second, that is one second less for you to react to any hazards.
Next time you’re tempted to use your phone while driving, remember the risks. It’s not worth it. Put your phone away and focus on the road.
2. Keep Your Phone Out of Reach
When you’re behind the wheel, it can be all too easy to reach for your phone when you get a text or notification, but even a momentary distraction can be dangerous.
If you want to avoid being distracted by your phone, the best strategy is to keep it out of reach. Put it in the glove compartment or the back seat where you’ll have to make a conscious effort to retrieve it.
If you absolutely must use your phone while behind the wheel, the best strategy is to pull over to a safe location such as a parking lot before making a call or answering a text message. This will help to ensure that you’re not distracted by your phone while you’re driving, and it will also help to reduce the risk of an accident.
3. Prepare Your Devices Before Embarking on Your Trip
It’s important to be aware of the risks of distracted driving not only while behind the wheel but also before you start your journey. One way to proactively minimize distractions is to prepare your mobile device before you embark on your trip.
Dial any phone numbers you need to call ahead of time and input your GPS directions before you start driving. If you plan to listen to music, boot up a playlist that you know you’ll enjoy to limit the need to change songs while driving. These strategies make it less likely that you will be tempted to pick up your phone while you’re behind the wheel.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Smartphone use is not the only cause of distracted driving. When a driver’s mind simply wanders, they are significantly more likely to get into a motor vehicle accident. Paying attention to the task at hand is crucial for safe driving.
One way to help combat this type of distracted driving is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and actions. When driving, this means paying attention to the road and staying aware of your surroundings.
It can be helpful to consciously observe each action, such as turning the steering wheel or changing gears and to focus on the task at hand. Another strategy is taking slow, deep, and purposeful breaths. By doing so, it is possible to minimize distractions and prevent accidents.
It can be tempting to take your eyes off the road to look at something else, but it’s important to resist this temptation. Instead, keep your eyes focused on the road ahead so that you can react quickly if something unexpected happens. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, please call 215-567-6616 to discuss your situation with an Allentown personal injury attorney at Metzger & Kleiner.
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