Driving can be stressful. You have to focus on the road, keep your eyes peeled for other drivers and pedestrians, and remember all of the rules of the road.

When you add in texting, taking calls and updating social media while driving it can become even more challenging. However, there are simple things that you can do to reduce distracted driving:

Tips to avoid distracted driving

Key Takeaways
Maintaining your vehicle is crucial for your safety on the road.
Knowing the most common causes of car accidents can help you avoid them.
Preparing for long road trips is important to stay alert and safe.
Electric cars are becoming the future of transportation due to their benefits.
Winter weather can pose additional challenges for driving, so preparation is key.
Distracted driving is dangerous and can divert a driver’s attention from the road.
To prevent distracted driving, stay focused, put your phone away, and plan ahead.
Some states have laws prohibiting distracted driving.
If you suspect a driver is distracted, prioritize your safety and report them if necessary.

Table of Contents

1. Don’t Use Your Phone While Driving

It’s tempting to check your phone for texts or emails, especially when it’s right there in your hand. But don’t do it.

Instead, wait until you get somewhere safe before checking your messages. If you absolutely need to make a call or send someone a text while driving, pull over as soon as possible and park before doing so. And if someone calls or texts you?

Let them know that you can’t talk at the moment (or at least not until after the person is done talking), then call back later when the situation is safer for both parties.

Another reason why it’s important not to use your phone while driving: safety!

While texting may seem like an easy way to communicate with friends and family members from behind the wheel of a car, studies suggest that this practice increases crash risk by up to 23 times when compared with simply talking on the phone instead of typing away on those tiny little screens (and yes your risk increases even more if both hands are occupied).

The maintenance of your vehicle is crucial for ensuring your safety on the road. The Top 15 Car Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Safe on the Road provides you with expert recommendations for maintaining your car and keeping it in top condition.

2. Check Yourself

When you’re driving, it’s easy to get distracted by the road ahead and forget that everything around you is moving too.

Make sure to check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or turning at intersections or onto a freeway ramp, especially when in heavy traffic.

Make sure your speedometer and fuel gauge are working properly so that you know when it’s time to fill up again (don’t wait until the last minute), and make sure all of your lights are working properly by checking them regularly.

Also, don’t forget about tire pressure: if one tire on one side of your vehicle is significantly lower than others, this can cause an imbalance that makes the vehicle harder to control and could even lead to a blowout!

Finally, always wear seatbelts whenever possible and if not possible because of conditions like inclement weather then try finding an alternative route where it would be safe enough for you not need wear one!

3. Keep Your Car Clean

Keep your car clean and tidy. Keeping your car clean is one of the best ways to avoid distractions while driving. When you have a messy car, it’s easier to forget what you needed when you get out of it.

Clean up after yourself. If there are crumbs all over the floor or wrappers scattered around the car, pick them up immediately! It’s much better not to leave things out than to have to stop an emergency situation because of a crumb on the floor that drives you crazy.

Organize everything so that it is easily accessible by everyone in your family (and anyone else who might be riding as well).

When things are organized properly, everyone knows where they are supposed to go when they need something from somewhere else in the vehicle – no more searching through piles of stuff trying frantically for some important objects like cash or tickets!

Car accidents can happen to anyone on the road, and it’s important to identify the causes of these incidents to avoid them. Check out The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents: Avoid Them at All Costs for an in-depth analysis of common car accident causes and how to prevent them.

4. Have A Pre-Drive Routine

If you’re like me, the second your foot hits the gas pedal of your car, it’s hard to turn off your brain.

But if you have a pre-drive routine, it will help keep distractions at bay and make sure that you are fully focused on driving and nothing else.

For example: when I get in my car, I always put my seat belt on first thing before starting the engine or moving forward with any other actions inside or outside of my vehicle.

That way, I am automatically reminded that I am driving and need to focus all of my attention on doing just that for however long it takes until I reach where I am going safely without having an accident along the way!

The Importance of Having a Pre-Drive Routine

Underlying Data	Importance
Nearly 80% of car crashes are caused by driver inattention in the three seconds before the collision	A pre-drive routine can improve focus and reduce distractions, lowering the risk of accidents.
Pre-drive routines can include checking mirrors, adjusting the seat and steering wheel, and programming GPS	By completing these tasks before driving, less attention is needed while on the road.
Implementing a routine can prevent forgetfulness when leaving the vehicle	Creating a pre-drive routine can help prevent drivers from leaving important items behind, such as a gas cap or mobile phone.
Regularly conducting a vehicle inspection can identify potential issues before they cause an accident	Checking tire pressure, brakes, and other components regularly can help prevent accidents caused by vehicle malfunction.
Experienced drivers often have pre-drive routines, highlighting its importance	Many professional drivers swear by pre-drive routines as they can help improve safety, efficiency, and performance on the road.

Note: The data on car crashes caused by driver inattention is based on a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

5. Be 100 Percent Focused On Driving When You’re Behind The Wheel

You should always be 100 percent focused on driving when you’re behind the wheel. This means no texting, no using your phone while driving and no eating, drinking or smoking while driving.

You can also use your phone to play games or surf the internet while parked in a safe place but not while moving. And don’t talk to other passengers either.

6. Make Sure You’re In A Good State Of Mind

In addition to the above tips, there are a few things you can do in order to make sure that you’re driving safely. First and foremost, be alert and focused. Make sure that you’re paying attention to your surroundings and what’s going on around you.

This includes being aware of traffic conditions, road signs and other drivers’ actions (e.g., if someone is swerving or braking suddenly).

You should also take note of your emotions and mood; if you’ve had a bad day at work or feel angry because of an argument with a family member/friend earlier that day, it might not be the best time for driving alone—or even at all!

Next up: being aware of your physical state while behind the wheel. If possible (and safe), try bringing along food so that hunger doesn’t become an issue later on during long trips this way when hunger strikes again later down the road instead of being distracted by thinking about food right now then maybe distracting yourself further by pulling over somewhere unsafe as opposed to just grabbing something quick before starting up again five minutes later once satisfied.

Long road trips can be tiring and dangerous without proper preparation and focus. Read 16 Simple Steps to Avoid a Car Accident on Your Next Road Trip to learn tips on how to stay alert and safe during your next journey.

7. Use A Co-Pilot, If Possible

If you have a passenger in the car, this is the perfect time to talk about your route and expectations.

It’s also a great excuse for them to help keep you focused on the road by asking questions like “What comes next?” or “Are we almost there?” If you don’t have someone with you, try talking to yourself or singing in the car instead!

8. Have Some “Brakes” For Yourself

As you continue to drive, the road will begin to take its toll on you. You need to have some brakes in place, so that when you get tired or hungry or thirsty, it doesn’t stop you from being able to focus on driving safely.

These include getting some sleep, eating and drinking something (and not just a fast food drive-thru), taking a walk outside of the car and getting fresh air, listening to music/podcasts that are not related to driving at all (or having someone else do it).

9. Create An Environment Conducive To Safe Driving

Keep the car clean. You don’t want to be distracted by trash, food wrappers and other debris that could spill or fly around in the event of an accident.

Remove clutter from your car. If you have a lot of stuff lying around in your car, it’s not only distracting, but also dangerous when there’s an accident as things fly around inside the vehicle at high speeds.

Keep things organized so they don’t get lost or stolen while driving; this will also make it easier for emergency personnel if they need to access certain items quickly after an accident happens (or before).

Don’t leave anything in the car that doesn’t need to be there—this includes purses, briefcases and umbrellas (if it rains), etcetera–and anything else that might distract you from focusing on driving safely!

With the increasing popularity of electric cars, it’s important to understand their benefits and why they’re the future of transportation. Discover a comprehensive guide on Why Electric Cars are the Future of Transportation (And You Won’t Want to Miss It) to learn more about this revolutionary technology.

10. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep deprivation can lead to accidents and even death, so it’s vital that you get enough sleep each night. Insufficient sleep is responsible for more than 1,500 deaths a year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When you don’t get enough rest, your body produces more stress hormones that can negatively impact your heart and blood pressure.

This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in America today.

In addition to improving overall health, getting adequate sleep can help keep you awake at night which will reduce distracted driving accidents or close calls!

Importance of Getting Enough Sleep

Underlying Data	Importance
Drivers who only slept for 4-5 hours in the previous 24 hours had a crash risk comparable to that of a drunk driver	Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive and motor functioning, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
Missing 2-3 hours of sleep per night quadruples the risk of a car accident	Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to reduced reaction time and decreased awareness, making it harder to avoid collisions.
Newer car models offer safety features such as forward-collision alert and lane departure warning	These features can help alert drivers when they are drifting from their lanes or approaching other vehicles too quickly, reducing the risk of accidents.
Drowsy driving causes an estimated 5,000-6,000 fatal crashes annually in the United States	Getting enough sleep is crucial for driver safety and can save lives.
Driving while sleep-deprived also poses a risk for medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes	Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of developing these medical conditions, further emphasizing the importance of getting enough rest.

Note: The estimated number of fatal crashes is based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

11. Try To Travel During Off-Peak Hours When There Will Be Less Traffic And Less Distractions

As much as we all love to drive, it can be a dangerous activity. If you want to increase your safety on the road and avoid distracted driving accidents, try taking the following precautions:

Avoid rush hour. If possible, try not to drive during peak traffic hours when there will be more cars on the roads and more people will be trying to get somewhere in a hurry.

Take a different route if possible. While sometimes this isn’t an option due to time constraints or other factors, if you can take a slightly longer but less busy route then this is what I would recommend doing every once in awhile! It’s nice having fewer distractions while driving—you’ll enjoy your commute more too!

Drive during daylight hours instead of at night so that there aren’t any lights shining into your eyes while trying to see where they’re going (and also because it makes things easier).

Winter weather can pose additional challenges when driving on the road, which is why it’s important to know how to stay safe in these conditions. Check out How to Stay Safe on the Road During the Winter: Expert Tips and Tricks to learn expert advice for safe driving during the winter season.

12. Slow Down

If you’re distracted, it’s easy to speed up without realizing it when you see something that catches your eye or something on the road ahead of you.

When approaching curves, bridges, tunnels and other areas where visibility might be limited (such as a construction zone), slow down so that if there is an accident or other problem ahead of you, it can be seen in advance and avoided.

If it looks like rain could start falling soon after sunset, try to get home earlier than usual; heavy rains can make roads slippery and difficult to drive on safely at any time of day.

If driving through heavy traffic makes your heart race with anxiety or stress or even just makes you feel tired find an alternative route (you can always use Google Maps) that doesn’t have as much congestion on it or simply go around the block without actually exiting until there isn’t much traffic at all left along that particular street before taking off from where ever else would normally lead back onto main routes leading away from home again later on down towards work tomorrow morning for example.

13. Wear Your Seat Belt — It Really Does Save Lives!

You may have heard the saying, “the difference between life and death is a seatbelt.” And while that might sound dramatic, it’s actually true.

Wearing a seatbelt is the safest way to protect yourself in a car accident, but it’s also the law in most states and required by most rental car companies.

Not only does wearing a seatbelt keep you safe when something goes wrong (like hitting another vehicle or having an accident), but it’ll also keep you from being ejected from your car during impact if you haven’t fastened up properly before driving away from home or work!

Believe us when we say this: even if there are no other cars around when someone drives over their own speed limit while texting on their phone and ends up slamming into yours with such force that both cars turn over several times before coming to rest upside down against some trees, without wearing your seatbelt at least one person will die in every single crash like this because they weren’t buckled up properly!

So please remember: everyone needs to wear their seat belts at all times while operating motor vehicles; even those who aren’t old enough yet are still required by law (as long as they’re taller than 4′ feet tall).

Importance of Wearing Seat Belts

Underlying Data	Importance
According to NHTSA, seat belts saved approximately 14,955 lives in 2017	Seat belts have been proven to save lives in the event of an accident.
Buckling up can reduce the risk of a fatal injury by 45%	Wearing a seat belt can significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a car accident.
Seat belts are essential in preventing ejection from a vehicle	In the event of a collision, seat belts prevent passengers from being ejected from the car, decreasing the likelihood of severe injury or death.
In many states, not wearing a seat belt is against the law	Failing to wear a seat belt can result in fines and penalties.
Many car manufacturers have implemented advanced seatbelt technologies	New car models offer features such as pretensioners and load limiters to increase the effectiveness of seat belts in protecting passengers.

Note: NHTSA stands for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that distracted driving is a serious issue that can lead to serious consequences.

If you’re one of the people who thinks it’s no big deal, or if you’ve never thought about how your phone use affects your driving, now’s the time to start considering the risks.

After all, safe and attentive driving is not just good for yourself it’s good for everyone on the road with you (and even those in other cars).

FAQs

Here are some common questions related to distracted driving:

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from driving, including texting, using a phone, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, or adjusting the radio or GPS.

Why is distracted driving dangerous?

Distracted driving diverts a driver’s focus from the road and could lead to loss of control, delayed reaction time, and increased chances of getting into an accident.

How can I prevent distracted driving?

You can avoid distracted driving by staying focused on the road, putting your phone away, planning ahead, and avoiding any activities that could draw your attention while driving.

Are there any laws prohibiting distracted driving?

Yes, some states have laws prohibiting texting or hand-held phone use while driving. It’s important to check with your local authorities to understand the laws in your area.

What should I do if I notice a driver who is distracted?

If you suspect a driver is distracted, keep a safe distance, avoid engaging with them, and report them to the authorities if necessary. It’s important to prioritize your safety on the road.

Hellen James

Hello friends. My name is Hellen James and I’m here to help you make good decisions when it comes to buying, selling, and maintaining your vehicles.

15 Simple Tips To Avoid Distracted Driving And Keep You Safe On The Road