Distraction-Free
Driving

Many
drivers of all ages find themselves in situations in which they are
distracted from the intricate task of driving. From phones to music
to other passengers, distractions in the vehicle are abundant.
Personally, I have found that I frequently fall prey to all of these
distractions and more.

For
many drivers—myself included—texting is one of the biggest
phone-related distractions behind the wheel. Several things can be
done to decrease phone usage on the road. Firstly, and most
effectively, the phone can be turned completely off and placed
somewhere in the car that is completely inaccessible, like in a bag
in the trunk. However, many drivers feel that a phone on hand is a
necessity in the event of family or driving related emergencies. To
account for this, drivers can utilize technology that will allow them
to send and receive phone calls through the vehicle’s sound system
or Bluetooth. By doing this, the phone can still be out of reach
while giving the driver a way to contact friends, family, and
emergency services in the event that help is needed. A way to stop
young people specifically from being distracted by a phone is for
parents to set up controls on the phone. Whether it be through the
phone itself or a third-party applications, there are many ways for
parents to deactivate a child’s phone when it moves faster than a
predetermined speed, like it would in a car. Another way to decrease
reckless phone usage behind the wheel is to recruit a friend or
family member for long trips that the driver can entrust to hold onto
the phone and only allow them to use it for emergencies.


Driving
with a trusted individual has many benefits. Having someone in the
car (that is not being a distraction, of course) to change radio
stations, send and read text messages, and even operate social media
for some screen-addict drivers can greatly decrease distracted
driving as a result of technology usage.


In
relation to having other passengers in the car, the importance of
only driving with responsible friends and family cannot be emphasized
enough. It is always important for drivers to have a conversation
with their passengers about what may or may not be a distraction. If
passengers do not see the importance in maintaining a
distraction-free driving environment, then the trip must be postponed
until a more experienced and less easily distracted driver can take
the wheel.


Distracted
driving is dangerous driving. By continuing to succumb to unsafe
habits behind the wheel, drivers are putting themselves and others at
risk for serious injury and even death. No text, call, song, or
conversation with a passenger is worth the risk of a deadly car
accident. While it can be easy to blame a driver for falling prey to
any of the habits mentioned above, it is important to remember that
there are many ways to prevent these issues in the first place.
Whether it be distraction focused drivers’ education or Bluetooth
connection and “hands-free” capabilities in all new cars, more
can be done to prevent distracted driving.