Distracted Driving is on the rise due to cell phone use and car-to-car devices. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that distracted driving is an important factor in fatal car wrecks. Up to one in ten deaths can be attributed to distract driving.

What is distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from operating their vehicle. Distracted driving poses a danger to your safety. You can avoid this by always paying attention to your vehicle, other vehicles, pedestrians, as well as the controls. It is your legal duty to keep you focused while driving.

Top 8 Driving Distractions

Many things could distract a driver. But the most common distractions that lead to fatalities in accidents are:

  • Daydreaming
  • The use of a cell telephone
  • Take a look at something else than the vehicle
  • Passenger activities
  • Reaching to the dashboard, seat, and floor for something
  • Eating, drinking, or smoking
  • Change the radio, climate control, or any other device in your car
  • Animals, insects, and pets are all allowed inside the vehicle

As you can see from the list, almost all distractions that could be caused by driving are under the driver’s control.

How to Avoid Distraction While Driving

When you’re driving, be focused on the road. When you are behind the wheel, insist that your passengers assist you in driving safely.

Cell phones, even hands-free, are one of the biggest distractions for drivers. In many states, driving while using a cell phone is illegal. Do not use your cell phone while driving. If you absolutely must use your mobile phone for any reason please pull over in a legal place.

Here are some tips to help you focus, apart from avoiding your phone.

  • It is important to avoid eating, drinking, and smoking while driving.
  • If you need something from the glove compartment, the dashboard, or the floor of the car, please pulls over.
  • Avoid taking part in sightseeing while you are driving. If you need to go out and about, be sure to stop at a safe place.
  • Before you start driving, adjust climate controls, radios, and other infotainment features.
  • For passengers to buckle up and keep their eyes on the road, ask them to do so.
  • Do not drive if there are any strong emotions or physical symptoms that can cause you to be upset or excited.
  • Pet carriers can be used to transport pets or they can be secured in the back seat. To prevent objects from falling around, secure them inside the vehicle.
  • Your accident probability will be significantly reduced if you avoid distracted driving.

Tips to help keep your eyes on the road

Nearly everyone is guilty at some point of distracted driving. Distracted drivers are all around you: the cell phone socialite or the in-car iPod driver, the high fashion cosmetician, or the 3-course meal king, queen.

Here are some ideas to help make driving safer.

Your cell phone should be used only in emergencies. Even in emergencies, it is best to pull over and place your phone on your right shoulder. Even though you don’t have to use your hands to make a call, you might miss the important visual or audio cues necessary to avoid crashing.

Talking on your phone while driving is not a good idea, you should be aware that it is illegal in many jurisdictions. You may be ticketed, and even fined.

Don’t drive if your eyes are blurred. Your risk of getting into a crash is almost fourfold. Get off the road if you feel tired. Don’t try and get home quicker.

Keep your passengers under control. Teens shouldn’t have teenager passengers in their car during the first few months of solo driving. Driving with friends is dangerous as novice drivers can be distracted by their friends, rather than the road.

You shouldn’t eat and drive. It may seem like a time-saver, but it makes you less attentive to drivers around you. Food spillages are a big cause of distraction.

With the help of driving lessons in Fremantle; you can increase your chances of having a clean driving record