Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents. Every year, distracted driving takes the lives of thousands. Survivors often suffer serious injuries, such as whiplash, concussions or spine and head injuries.
It’s fairly easy to get distracted while driving, unfortunately. There’s so much you have to focus on while driving, but the deadliest distractions may come from inside your car. There are ways you can reduce your distractions so that you’re a safer driver. Here’s are a couple of tips:
Hide your phone
Your phone is the biggest distraction you likely take with you everywhere. While your phone may not be a problem at home or at work, it can be a big problem in your car. As soon as your phone chimes in your pocket, cup holder or passenger seat, your immediate focus is drawn to it (and your hand may follow) – all of which can lead to an accident.
The best thing you might be able to do is to turn off your phone. If you don’t know when someone’s texting or calling, then you can’t be distracted. However, if you can’t turn off your phone (maybe because you’re waiting for an important call), you could try placing it in your glove box, back seat or in a closed bag.
Eat while parked
People often realize just how distracting their phones can be while driving. But, people frequently overlook how distracting food and drinks can be. Next time you run through a drive-thru, you may need to consider when and where you eat.
When you eat while driving, you could potentially create big issues, such as spilling a drink or getting condiments on your hands. These examples may cause a huge distraction or limit your ability to maneuver your vehicle. Instead, you should wait and eat once your vehicle is parked or when you’re safely home or at work.
You’ve done everything you can to reduce distracted driving, but you ended up in an accident because the other driver was distracted. This happens all too often. You may need to know your legal options when seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.