Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is a major responsibility. You have an obligation to yourself, your passengers and other drivers on the road to give your full attention to what you are doing.
Distracted driving can cause you to either make a mistake that causes an accident or prevent you from seeing a hazard you could avoid. Create habits that help you to reduce your risk of driving while distracted.
Only use your phone in emergencies
Put your cell phone out of reach while driving to reduce the temptation to text or check social media. If you must make a call, either use a hands-free option or pull over and stop your vehicle before retrieving your phone to make a call.
Limit your passengers
If you find that you are easily distracted by having passengers in the car with you, limit the number of passengers you allow. If you have children or pets in the car with you, make sure they are safely restrained and prevented from reaching for you as you drive.
Snack safely
Avoid eating while driving. If you need a snack, take a few minutes to park and eat. Spilling or dropping food while you drive can cause a hazard as you react to the unexpected spill. Make sure any beverages you consume while driving do not require both hands to remove a lid.
Driving should always get your full attention. Limit anything that diverts your eyes from the road, your hands from the wheel or your focus from driving. This can help reduce your risk of accidents and the costly injuries they can cause.
