Distracted driving impacts a number of motorists in Texas each day. Even doing things while you drive like programming your GPS or reaching for your bag that fell can immediately endanger you.
Choosing to eliminate distractions is a personal decision that everyone has to make. When you understand just how dangerous distractions can be, you might have the incentive to improve your habits.
Understand the danger
Distractions include visual, cognitive and manual things. Some examples include reading road signs, responding to a text message, thinking about an emotional conversation you had last night, adjusting your radio settings, eating lunch or responding to work emails.
Any activity that removes your attention from the road, even for an instant, can have deadly consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that distracted driving causes fatal injuries to 9 people every day in the United States.
Avoid the temptation
Developing good habits takes time and maintenance. Your example is important for your family and friends. Some ways that you can reduce distractions include the following:
- Use mindfulness in the number of passengers you have including their conversation
- Avoid activities including eating and applying makeup
- Commit to saving your cellphone for emergency use only while driving
- Recognize fatigue and discontinue driving right away if you feel tired
Prior to leaving anywhere, adjust your seat to a comfortable position. Make sure each of your controls is where you want them. Respond to any passenger requests, particularly if you have small children or pets. Secure any cargo. Program your GPS and keep your music volume low. Each of these simple steps could be the reason you prevent harm from happening to you and anyone around you.
