Preventing Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a danger to everyone on the road.

The University of Minnesota produced a study revealing that talking on the phone while behind the wheel impairs one’s ability to drive even more so than driving intoxicated. Texting is just as dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that sending or reading text messages takes your eyes away from the road for 5 seconds—if driving at 55 mph, that is like driving with your eyes closed for the length of a football field!

However, cellphone use is not the only distraction drivers face. A distraction can be manual (talking your hands off the wheel), visual (taking your eyes off the road), or cognitive (taking your mind off of driving).

Review the following tips to minimize distracted driving:

Do not eat or drink while driving.
Review your route before you get in the car to avoid looking at the GPS while driving.
Never allow pets to sit on your lap or roam about the car. Safely secure them in a carrier.
Adjust the radio only when completely stopped.
Do not touch up hair or makeup in the rearview mirror until you are parked at your destination.
Limit the amount of passengers in the car. Ask them to keep their voices down to allow you to better concentrate on driving, not the conversation.
Do not smoke while driving as it can take your hands and attention off the road.

Distracted driving can have devastating consequences. Safe driving always requires your full attention!