If you read our previous blog, you know that distracted driving comes in three different forms. Any action that leads the driver to take his or her attention off the task at hand is a distraction. However, these are all preventable actions, making someone who causes a crash due to a distraction negligent.
It helps to recognize the various things you can do to prevent a distraction when you’re driving, so you can stay safe on the road.
Secure Loose Items
Loose items rolling around the floor of your vehicle can be a big distraction, especially if you start trying to reach for an item. Instead, keep everything in a safe and secure place to prevent this problem from arising.
Turn Down the Radio
Singing out loud or listening to blaring music is a cognitive distraction—it takes your focus off driving. We recommend turning the radio off completely, but if you absolutely must have the radio on, try to keep the volume to a minimum to prevent distractions.
Keep Your Cell Phone Away
With so many people addicted to technology, it may seem harder for most to put their phones away while driving. However, texting and driving is one of the most dangerous actions, requiring you to take your eyes off the road and hand off the steering wheel for many seconds. Even worse, it takes about 15 seconds to regain your focus on driving. Put your phone away and those calls or texts can wait.
Avoid Eating and Drinking
Multitasking is never a good idea when you’re driving. Eating or drinking takes at least one hand off the steering wheel. It can also cause visual or cognitive distractions as you grab at your food or drink and focus on your meal rather than driving.
Our Pottstown car accident attorneys at Mayerson Injury Law, P.C. know how dangerous distracted driving can be. While you may take steps to stay safe, it’s other drivers of whom you need to be aware. Ensure you recognize the signs of distracted driving and practice defensive driving to avoid a severe crash.
For a free consultation, call our firm at (610) 492-7155 today.