How To Successfully Eliminate Distracted Driving
Smart phones are not the only source for distracted driving. Radios, passengers, road signs, whatever’s happening on the side of the road—these are just a few distractions that can crop up and distract us without ever realizing it.
To this end, you need to know how to cut out the temptation to become distracted in the first place. Planning ahead and leaving your phone alone are just a couple examples of ways to stay focused and safe when behind the wheel.
Plan your trip ahead of time
There’s almost nothing more distracting than getting lost and not knowing how to get to your destination. It’s one thing to have never been to your destination, but it’s an entirely different matter to drive there blindly. Don’t do this! Instead, plug the address of your destination into Google and explore the area on Street View. In addition to using a GPS, there’s no reason to be distracted.
Leave early
When you’re running late and speeding to your destination, you’re dangerously distracted. We’ve all been there. You get into a tunnel vision, you drive more recklessly, and we’re more likely to break traffic laws. It’s a dangerous situation. If tardiness is a hard habit to break, you need to change it; drive more like Mister Rogers and a little less like Jeff Gordon.
Take public transportation if possible
One way to avoid distracted driving is to just not drive altogether. It isn’t a bad idea if you’re tardy to every appointment, but it could present its own set of challenges. For example, what are you going to do if a train or bus is late? Do you have another option for travel if you’re going to be late? Be certain you can get to your destination on time.
Stay off the phone
When we put the blame on distracted driving, our phones seem to get the bulk of the blame. It seems to be for good reason, though. Between the temptation of replying to text messages to flipping through a playlist and everything in-between, there’s always a reason to reach for our smartphones. Avoid the temptation and just don’t do it!
If you must use your smartphone for a GPS, consider getting a stand you can insert you’re your vehicle’s compact disc tray or air vent to keep an eye on it at all times. It’s the only time you should interact with your phone while driving. If you must use the phone in any manner, pull over on the side of the highway or get a passenger to use it. One moment from looking at the highway could result in the worst moment of your life.
Don’t multi-task
The best way to eliminate distracted driving is to just avoid multi-tasking altogether. It’s a habit that can be applied to every distraction on this list. Studies show that our brains just weren’t made for multi-tasking. Because our brains are capable of only storing between five – nine things simultaneously, our brains just don’t have enough brainpower.
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