Driving is something which we all have to do so often that it is very easy to become complacent and not give it the due attention which it requires. A car or another vehicle is genuinely one of the most dangerous weapons imaginable if it is not operated correctly and attentively. With almost 4,000 deaths each year on American roads alone, staying focused and distraction-free is vital for ensuring that you and your passengers stay safe every time you drive your vehicle.
To help protect everyone out there from adding to the tragic road accident statistics, here are 6 ways that will help prevent distraction while driving.
1. Take Weather and Road Conditions into Account
Adverse weather or road conditions such as heavy rain or black ice can cause huge problems for drivers, and it can be easy to become distracted by these conditions. One study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that there are more than 2,000 road fatalities each winter as a result of poor road conditions. In particular, when the road surface is icy, it is imperative that you slow down and pay extra attention when driving. Remember that wet and icy road surfaces will mean longer stopping distances and can also cause a vehicle to react in unpredictable ways when braking or steering.
2. Switch Your Devices to Hands-Free
There are far too many people who attempt to drive, even when the road is busy or conditions are poor while texting or playing on their phone. This is incredibly dangerous and is rightly illegal in many countries around the world. There are many accidents, including those involving commercial vehicles, which come as a result of distracted driving. If you own a vehicle fleet, one way to ensure that your drivers are focused fully on the road is to install fleet tracking dash cams into all of your vehicles. That way, if one of your drivers is checking their phone or looking at a map, you can radio them directly to tell them to stop, and can also take any necessary training or disciplinary measures as a result. Switching all devices to hands-free mode and using a voice instructive GPS can reduce accident frequency dramatically.
3. Don’t Get Into Heated Exchanges
Long car journeys can be draining at the best of times but we have probably all been in a vehicle where there is an argument or heated exchange happening where the situation is incredibly difficult for the driver. Driving long distances with children can be particularly stressful and can cause you to lose focus which can easily result in an accident. Try to keep the environment inside your car relaxed at all times. Provide children with books, toys, or media devices to keep them busy during long drives and if there is rising tension in the car, pull over and resolve it rather than having an argument as you are driving along.
4. Don’t Use Your Commute as a Time to Get Ready
This may sound obvious, but your morning drive to work should not double up as a time to get ready. There are so many people who eat breakfast, fix their makeup, and even study or read work documents as they are driving along. One study found that 30% of all drivers admitted to having used their knees to drive while their hands were busy putting on a tie or applying mascara on their morning commute. If you don’t have time to get ready in the morning, wake up fifteen minutes earlier.
5. Never Drink or Drive Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
This is another obvious tip but the problem of drink and drug driving continues to plague society. There are tens of thousands of vehicle accidents every year as a result of people driving under the influence and so it is crucial that every driver recognizes the problem and never ever drives after drinking or taking drugs. Substances can seriously affect your reaction times, decision-making, and road awareness. Some countries allow for drivers to have one or two drinks before driving but the safest thing to do is to avoid it altogether.
6. Don’t Listen to Loud Music
Loud music is another major cause of road accidents. We all enjoy listening to our favorite tunes while we drive, particularly on long road trips, but the music should always be in the background so that you can focus on the road and hear any beeps or other warning signs around you. If your music is too loud to hear your passengers in the back, then it is too loud.
Distracted driving causes more than eight thousand accidents every year in the US and is the single biggest cause of crashes. Follow these six tips and you will help to keep the roads safer for yourself, your passengers, and other road users.