Stay Safe Behind the Wheel: Tips for Avoiding Distractions While Driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which is a good time for all of us to take stock of our driving habits to make sure we’re not distracted behind the wheel.

Distracted driving can lead to tickets and fines, higher monthly insurance costs — and in the worst case, serious injury or death. It’s important to recognize that distraction can come in three forms: visual, manual, and cognitive. Even brief lapses can raise the risk of an accident.

With that in mind, here are some key reminders to help you drive with more awareness.

Set yourself up to drive safely by: 

• Checking your vehicle. It’s good to do a seasonal check-in on your car’s safety features. Doing so can help ensure your car doesn’t malfunction or that driving remains safe as new weather patterns emerge.
• Getting ready before you drive – Be sure to adjust your seat, mirrors, steering wheel, GPS, A/C, and radio before you hit the road. If you need to adjust one of these things while you’re on the road, it’s best to pull over in a safe place to do so.
• Keeping the car calm – Secure loose items, cap drinks, and keep pets restrained so you can drive distraction-free.
• Putting the phone away – Stash it out of reach or use your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature while driving. If an urgent message or phone call can’t wait, park first.

Avoid distraction while you drive by: 

• Pulling over to assist children – If you’re driving alone with kids and they need attention, it’s best practice to pull into a safe spot rather than turn around or take your eyes off the road.
• Not multitasking – Eating, putting on makeup, or digging around in a bag can pull your focus away from driving. Plan a quick stop if you have a task you must complete.
• Making a passenger your co-pilot – Let them handle texts, directions, or any other important task so you can keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
• Watching for sun glare. Brighter days can make it hard to see the road, especially during sunrise and sunset. Keeping sunglasses in the car and using the sunshade can help avoid glare.
• Staying alert for animals. Wildlife becomes more active as spring ramps up. Pay more attention in areas where animals may commonly cross, and watch out for people slamming on their brakes or swerving to avoid hitting them.
• Looking out for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles. As the clocks change, be extra careful in the mornings, and recognize that glare can prevent you from seeing people on the road during the day. Take extra care to watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists on the road.
• Being cautious in the rain. Wet roads are a major cause of accidents. If it rains, give yourself more room to stop and avoid sudden braking.
• Taking care with allergy medications. Some medicines can cause drowsiness or slower reactions, so be sure to read the side effects or consult your doctor before driving on an allergy medication. If a medication makes you feel off, it’s safer not to drive, even if you don’t feel drowsy.
• Guarding your attention – If your mind starts to wander as you drive, pull over and do a quick reset by taking a few deep breaths and refocus on driving.

Following these tips and doing your best to drive with more awareness can help prevent accidents and keep you safe, but it is still crucial to have auto coverage in case of an emergency. Give Heister Insurance Agency a call, and we can help you balance cost and coverage, 513-741-3244.