Smartphones are now a crucial part of our day-to-day lives. We use it to talk to friends, get food and even manage our finances.
However, irresponsible use of this device has dangerous and fatal consequences. Being on the phone while operating a vehicle is a form of distracted driving, which may lead to car accidents.
In 2022, more than 3,300 died, while roughly 289,000 were hurt in car collisions due to distracted drivers. The numbers underscore the relevance of educating people about safe driving. This blog outlines the distractions to avoid to help reduce the risk of car crashes.
Distractions to avoid when behind the wheel
While using phones behind the wheel is a common form of distracted driving, other seemingly harmless activities may endanger you and others on the road. For example, eating or drinking can be forms of distraction.
Any activities that take your focus away from the road can increase your risk of getting in an accident. These include talking to passengers, combing your hair or applying makeup.
Even reading maps or using your car’s navigation system, which can take your attention away from driving for a few seconds, can be highly dangerous. Playing around with your car radio or switching songs on your phone can also cause inattention blindness, the phenomenon of missing up to 50% of your surroundings while behind the wheel.
Make safety a priority when driving
Remember that the moment you leave your garage, your primary task is driving. Anything that takes your attention off of this task can be a distraction.
To reduce the risk of fatal accidents due to distractions, you may put your phone on silent or keep the device in your car’s console. This way, you can keep it out of mind, but it is nearby in case of an emergency.
Before getting in your car, inform your friends or family members that you may not immediately respond to their messages. If you have to send an urgent message while driving, pull over to a safe area first.
