Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road, yet it’s something many of us are guilty of from time to time. Whether it’s glancing at your phone, adjusting the radio, or even chatting with passengers, distractions can happen easily and quickly. But staying focused while driving is crucial not just for your safety but for everyone else on the road too. Below, we’ll explore some practical tips to help you minimize distractions and keep your attention where it belongs — on the road.
Understanding Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes your attention away from driving. This can be categorized into three main types:
- Manual Distractions: Taking your hands off the wheel (e.g., eating, adjusting controls).
- Visual Distractions: Taking your eyes off the road (e.g., looking at a GPS or your phone).
- Cognitive Distractions: Taking your mind off driving (e.g., daydreaming or engaging in deep conversation).
These distractions, whether big or small, increase the likelihood of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2020. This makes it a serious issue that requires our full attention — pun intended!
Top Tips to Reduce Distracted Driving
So, how can you reduce distractions while driving? Here are some tried-and-true tips that can make a big difference in your driving habits.
Put Your Phone Away
This one’s a no-brainer, but it’s also one of the hardest habits to break. Our phones are constant sources of communication and entertainment, but they’re also major distractions when driving. To resist the temptation, try putting your phone in a place where you can’t reach it, like the glove compartment or a bag in the back seat. Better yet, activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” mode while driving, which can silence notifications, calls, and texts. Some phones even allow you to set up automatic replies to let people know you’re on the road and will get back to them later.
Use Hands-Free Technology Wisely
Hands-free technology, like Bluetooth headsets or in-car systems, can be helpful, but they’re not foolproof. While it’s safer to use hands-free options than to hold your phone, they can still be distracting. If you need to make a call, try to keep it short and to the point. Avoid emotionally charged or complicated conversations that could take your mind off driving. Remember, even with hands-free technology, your primary focus should always be on the road.
Set Up Your GPS Before You Start
Whether you’re headed to a new location or just avoiding traffic, using GPS is almost essential these days. But trying to program your route while driving is risky. Instead, take a few minutes before you start your journey to enter your destination and review the route. If you need to make changes or reroute, pull over safely before fiddling with the GPS. This simple step can help you avoid the common pitfall of looking down at your screen while driving.
Avoid Eating or Drinking While Driving
Eating and drinking while driving can take your focus off the road and increase the risk of an accident. If you need to eat, try to do it before you start driving or take a short break. Even something as simple as reaching for a water bottle can be distracting, especially if it requires taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
Secure Loose Items
Loose items rolling around in your car can be surprisingly distracting. Whether it’s a water bottle, a purse, or a piece of paper, these items can catch your attention at the wrong moment. Before you start driving, make sure all loose items are securely placed in a compartment, a seat pocket, or on the floor where they won’t move around. Securing loose items also prevents items from getting lodged under your pedals, which can be dangerous.
Control Your Music and Entertainment
Music and entertainment can make a long drive more enjoyable, but they can also be distracting if you’re constantly adjusting the volume, skipping songs, or changing the station. To avoid this, set your playlist, radio station, or podcast before you start driving. If you want to make changes, wait until you’re stopped at a red light, or pull over safely. Alternatively, if you have a passenger onboard, ask them to handle the entertainment.
Stay Focused on Driving
Whether you’ve been driving for a few months or decades, the amount of attention that driving requires never changes; driving requires your full attention. However, the mind can wander when you’re driving, especially in the morning while you’re still waking up or on long, monotonous drives. To stay alert, you can try tactics like changing the music to something more upbeat, talking to a passenger, adjusting your mirrors, rolling down the window to get some fresh air, or stopping at a convenience store to grab a snack and recharge for a few minutes.
Learn To Drive the Safe Way With American Driving Academy
Distracted driving is a serious issue, but you can significantly reduce the chances of it happening to you. Remember, staying focused on the road is not just about protecting yourself, but also about ensuring the safety of everyone around you. Use these strategies into your daily driving routine, and encourage others to do the same.With over 50 driving instructors spread across nine locations in Colorado, American Driving Academy is your best choice to learn to drive. If you’re looking to get driving lessons or take a driver’s license test in Colorado, contact American Driving Academy today.
American Driving Academy is Colorado's largest driving school, serving drivers across 15 Colorado locations since 1999, with more than 400,000 customers served through driver's ed, permit testing, drive testing, and behind-the-wheel lessons.