Although states have various laws forbidding the use of a cell phone while driving, the cell phone is still the largest distraction temptation for drivers.
The statistics are grim. Texting and driving:
- Double the chances of getting into an accident.
- Triple the chances of a vehicle leaving the road and crashing into a tree, a sign, or another object on the roadside.
- Make drivers 7 times more likely to rear-end the vehicle in front of them.
But any activity added to driving can have the same disastrous results.
- Don’t read, write, or look at paper maps while driving.
- Don’t eat, drink, smoke, or do anything else that involves taking your hands off the wheel.
- Never allow yourself to focus on anything outside your vehicle that isn’t related to driving. For example, clouds, billboards, people.
- Don’t let noise, from either inside or outside your vehicle, divert your attention. If a sound distracts you, such as your engine making a strange noise, pull over and investigate. Don’t continue to drive.
Pay attention only to what’s relevant to your driving. It will help keep you aware of vehicles around you and make sure you’re ready to react to the unexpected.
