Avoid Distracted Driving

We’ve all been there: you’re driving along and you get a notification that somebody sent you a message. The urge to check your phone and respond can be so strong! But, if you’re distracted while you’re driving, it could lead to a serious accident. It just isn’t worth it. The truth is, there are lots of potential distractions out there on the road. But with a few useful strategies and the right mindset, you can easily avoid getting distracted by them.

Steps

Before You Drive

  1. Make any calls or send text messages beforehand. If you know you’ll be getting on the road soon, make any calls you need to make before you get moving. Send or respond to any text messages so you’re less tempted to reach for your phone while you’re driving.[1]
    • If you’re headed to meet someone, give them a call or shoot them a message to let them know you’re on the way so they’re less likely to reach out to you while you’re on the road.
  2. Set your phone to “do not disturb” before you hit the road. Many phones have a “do not disturb” or a “do not disturb while driving” feature that you can use to block any incoming calls or messages. Access your phone’s settings and locate the feature. Activate it before you start driving so you don’t receive any notifications and aren’t tempted to check your phone.[2]
    • You can also install a cell phone blocking app that prevents phone usage while you’re driving such as LifeSaver, Live2Txt, or SafeDrive.[3]
    • If you can’t find your phone’s do not disturb setting, open up your settings menu and look for “Airplane Mode” if you have an iPhone or “Do Not Disturb” if you have an Android.
  3. Finish any dressing or personal grooming at home. Avoid putting on the last touches of eyeliner or tying your tie while you’re on the road. Finish up any grooming, hair styling, or makeup before you get behind the wheel. Put on everything you plan to wear before you get on the road so you aren’t distracted while you’re driving.[4]
    • If there are some items that you don’t want to wear while you drive, like an overcoat or bow tie, put them in your car and wait until you get where you’re going to put them on.
    • Even if you’re in a hurry, grooming yourself or putting on makeup isn’t worth the risk of causing an accident!
  4. Adjust your stereo, air conditioner, and any navigation tools. Find that perfect song on the radio and set your car to a comfy temperature before you start moving. If you’re using a GPS or navigational tool, input your destination and set it up before you start moving so you’re good to go.[5]
    • Using in-car navigational tools while you’re on the road can be a dangerous distraction and could potentially cause an accident.[6] If you need to make adjustments, pull over and put your car in park to do it safely.
    • Experts recommend that you pull over for things like adjusting your air conditioner or car stereo, but if you can do it safely and quickly in a 2-second window (the maximum amount of time a driver can safely divert their attention), you should be fine.[7]
    • If you’re riding with a passenger, try asking them to change the song or turn up the music so you can focus on driving.
  5. Put away any loose items so they don’t distract you. Store any loose gear, possessions, or other items that could roll around in your car before you start driving. Stack them, place them in your glove compartment, or do whatever you need to do to make sure you don’t have loose items moving around that could distract you while you’re on the road.[8]
    • Use your cup holders and door panels to hold smaller items so they don’t shift around while you drive.
  6. Avoid driving if you’re angry, upset, or tired. If you’re really emotional, it can affect your ability to stay focused on the road. Take some time to calm down before you start driving so you aren’t distracted. Driving while you’re tired is a recipe for disaster. If you feel really fatigued, consider taking a rest so you’re alert and better able to concentrate on driving.[9]
    • It’s totally normal to feel like you want to storm out and take a drive to blow off some steam when you’re upset. But if you’re emotional and distracted, you could cause an accident. Try to calm yourself down by taking a few deep breaths before you hit the road.
    • If you’re driving with other people and you feel really tired, try asking one of your trusted passengers if they can take over for a bit.
  7. Use a designated driver or avoid driving if you’re impaired. Driving under the influence is dangerous for you and for others on the road. If you’ve been drinking or taking medications that can impair you, don’t drive. If you need to go somewhere, ask a sober person to drive. You can also call a cab or use a ride-sharing service. Never, ever drive if you’re under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.[10]
    • Drugs or alcohol are involved in almost 40% of all crashes. If you’re impaired, it just isn’t worth the risk. Wait until it’s safe for you to drive.

On the Road

  1. Keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. Stay focused on driving by keeping your eyes on the prize, a.k.a. the road, and avoid looking away for more than 2 seconds—the maximum amount of time a driver can safely divert their attention. Keep both of your hands on the steering wheel so you’re able to drive safely and avoid reaching for distractions such as the radio or to dip your fries in some ketchup.[11]
    • Don’t crane your neck to look at accidents that you pass by. Even a minor distraction can lead to an accident.
    • If you want to stare at something, such as a beautiful sunset or landscape, pull over. You can take your time to safely admire it.
  2. Avoid using your phone or in-vehicle technology while you’re driving. Put your phone on silent or turn it off and store it away while you’re driving so you aren’t tempted to reach for it to respond to messages or answer a call while you’re on the road.[12] Additionally, research shows that in-vehicle technology like hands-free or voice-command features can be a potentially dangerous distraction as well, so avoid using them while your vehicle is in motion.[13]
    • Sometimes things come up and you may need to change your GPS route or make a call. It’s no problem, just pull over so you can do it safely.
    • That includes stoplights and stop signs. Don’t try to sneak a quick text message or two. Pull over if you need to make a call or send a text.
  3. Find a safe spot to park if you need to eat. The best option is to eat before you get on the road, but sometimes you don’t have a choice but to eat on the road. Look for a safe place you can pull over and park so you can eat safely and get back on the road.[14]
    • Eating large, messy meals that require you to use 2 hands and can be a dangerous distraction.
    • If you need to eat a meal on the go, find a safe place to pull over to eat it.
  4. Check your rearview and side mirrors every 5-8 seconds. While it is important to keep your eyes on the road, you also need to be aware of your surroundings. Every so often, take a quick glance at your rearview and side mirrors to see what’s going on around you and to help keep your brain focused and alert on your surroundings as you drive.[15]
    • Be sure to check your blind spots too.
    • Keep a lookout for things like upcoming construction, closed lanes, accidents, and changing traffic so you can react to them.
  5. Pull over if something demands your attention. If you need to reach for something in the backseat or you have to return a phone call, find a safe place to pull over like a parking lot or the shoulder of the road. Do whatever it is you need to do while you’re parked and then get back out on the road so you can avoid any future distractions.[16]
    • If you need to do something like look up directions or make a phone call, find a spot to pull over so you can do it safely.
  6. Wait to do anything that takes your attention off of the road. If you’re tempted to do something that won’t allow you to devote your full attention to driving, don’t do it. Pull over or wait until you reach your destination so you can do it safely.[17]
    • For instance, if you can’t find some chewing gum in your center console, don’t dig around for it while you’re driving.

Tips

  • If you have a teen driver, you can install a cell phone blocking app that won’t allow them to make calls or send text messages while the vehicle is in motion.[18]
  • If you can’t devote your full attention to driving because of how you feel or because of some other activity, then you’re distracted. Try to re-focus yourself on driving before you get out on the road.[19]

Warnings

  • Never drink and drive. If you’ve had too much to drink, call a friend or a ride-sharing service so you can get home safely.

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/how-to-avoid-distracted-driving/
  2. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/reducing-phone-risks-while-driving/
  3. ↑ https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving/technology-solutions
  4. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X4QkD9BKgdU
  5. ↑ https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/smart-tips-preventing-distracted-driving
  6. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/#.X4QdBtBKgdW
  7. ↑ https://driveredsafety.ciesc.org/distracted-driving-simple-solutions-for-safety/
  8. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X4QkD9BKgdU
  9. ↑ https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/how-to-avoid-distracted-driving/
  10. ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/alcoholanddrugs.pdf
  11. ↑ https://driveredsafety.ciesc.org/distracted-driving-simple-solutions-for-safety/
  12. ↑ https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/smart-tips-preventing-distracted-driving
  13. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/#.X4QdBtBKgdW
  14. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X4Qx4NBKgdV
  15. ↑ https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/how-to-avoid-distracted-driving/
  16. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X4QkD9BKgdU
  17. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X5mMkIhKgdU
  18. ↑ https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving/technology-solutions
  19. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.X4Qx4NBKgdV
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