Almost every person is guilty of distracted driving in some form, at some point. In fact, there’s a potential distraction nearly anywhere you look: a cell phone, a CD player, a drink in your cup holder, or even another passenger.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three types of driving distractions:
- Visual. Anything that takes your eyes off the road
- Manual. Anything that takes your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive. Anything that takes your mind off of driving
Below, we provide some ways to help ensure that your car remains a distraction-free zone so that everyone on the road can stay safe.
Put the Phone Away
When you’re driving, your cell phone should only be used for emergency purposes. Even then, it’s safer to pull over so you aren’t multitasking behind the wheel.
Turn your phone on silent and put it away so it’s out of sight and out of mind. That way, you aren’t tempted to look down at the flash of a text coming in.
Get Your GPS Set up Before Driving
Many drivers use their electronic devices for navigation purposes. If you need to do so, make sure to plug in the directions before you begin moving your vehicle. This way, you aren’t having to find the directions on your phone and taking your eyes and mind off of the road.
Make Sure Kids and Pets Are Secure
Before taking off, you should make sure children are secured with seat belts, car seats, or booster seats. Of course, this is for their own safety, but it also helps eliminate distractions of you having to turn around or reach behind you when you’re driving.
If you have pets in the car, make sure to secure them in a carrier or crate so that they aren’t freely running around you.
Pull Over If Needed
Lastly, you should always pull off the road if you do need to adjust anything within your vehicle. It may delay you a few minutes getting to your destination, but it’s much more important to stay safe than risk your safety and that of your passengers and everyone else on the road.
It’s an unfortunate reality that you can take all the steps needed to eliminate driving distractions, yet you can still be injured in a car accident caused by another motorist.
If you’ve injured in a distracted driving accident, turn to The Chopin Law Firm for legal advocates in your corner. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident and help you negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation.
Contact The Chopin Law Firm at (504) 475-2429 to schedule your free consultation. If you are continuing social distancing at home, we are able to provide you with a phone or video consultation as well.
