Distracted driving contributes to 3,000 deaths per year! Sadly, being distracted while behind the wheel isn’t that unusual. Here are just a few ways that cause peoples’ minds to wander when they are driving.
- Daydreaming is easy to do, especially when your drive is a daily routine. In your mind you are somewhere else, and not in a traffic pattern.
- Cell phones have caused hazardous driving since they were invented. Drivers can’t seem to “let it go” when they hear their ringtone signaling a call or a text.
- Be cautious if you are driving in areas with lots of pedestrians and cyclists. Dogs or wildlife running in front of your vehicle is also scary and the cause of accidents.
- Driving when you haven’t slept well is bad news. Your mind drifts and your reactions can be slow.
- Substance abuse is simply inexcusable as it hurts you and anyone you share the road with.
- Driving with children can be distracting as they may drop something and become upset. If this happens, pull over at the first available place and take care of it that way. Do not try to retrieve an object that has dropped and drive at the same time.
- You are in a hurry and go to a drive thru to pick up a meal. You try to multi-task and eat as you drive. This is not a good choice on many levels. It is messy and you try to clean up as you go. You could choke on your food or poke your eye with a straw. You are usually driving one-handed or sometimes with no hands while trying to consume your meal.
- When you get in your vehicle, decide then if you want to drive with music. Make sure your mirrors are correctly adjusted to your needs as well as your seats. Be prepared before you join traffic.
We hope this helps make you more aware so you can prevent distracted driving. We want to keep our customers, neighbors, and all drivers safe!