Safe Driving Saves Lives

Driving a motor vehicle safely takes focus and skill. When either of those are compromised, both the driver and others on the road are in put in danger. Anyone that has ever driven a car has experienced at least one situation where they had put themselves in harm’s way due to distracted driving. It takes drivers and passengers working together to limit the number of distractions for our drivers and make our roads more safe every day.

The most obvious distraction when driving are phones and smartwatches. You can see people texting, checking email, talking on their phone as a handheld, and even watching videos on their phones while driving! One way to minimize this is to keep all electronic devices in the back seat or trunk of the vehicle. Most cars have blue tooth for making phone calls, and as long as phones are in the vehicle the blue tooth will operate. Emailing and texting are never acceptable while driving, and keeping your device out of reach reduces the temptation to do so. If you are waiting for an important email or text, let the person contacting you know you will be driving and to either call you or expect a longer than normal response time. No one will begrudge you your safety rather than a quick reply!

Another distraction for drivers is eating. It sounds ridiculous, but it is true! There are people holding cheeseburgers in one hand, and then reaching for their drink with the other and using their knee to steer the wheel constantly when driving down the street. There is no excuse for this. People need to budget their time better with regard to when they need to eat. There are so many rest stops where people can get food and eat in their car, and this is a much safer alternative. For people that are in a rush and don’t have access to rest stops, keep snacks in your glove compartment: trail mix, crackers, nuts, etc. and eat them as you are walking from your car to your appointment.

Cars with multiple people in them can also be dangerous. When drivers are distracted by the people in the car accidents happen! Drivers need to make the rules in their car completely clear. This includes who controls the radio, keeping all body parts inside the car and not out the window, and that everyone must wear a seat belt. Drivers need to pay attention to what is happening outside of the car, not inside the car. If someone you know if driving you somewhere, understand that they are providing you with a service, and you should show your appreciation by keeping their drive stress-free.

These are some common examples of how we can improve roadway safety by limited distracted driving. We need to work together as drivers AND passengers to keep our roads safe for everyone. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you see someone driving distracted! It takes only one small voice to save someone’s life.