Thousands of Canadians die every year as a result of distracted driving, and thousands more are seriously injured because the driver was focused on something else other than the road. Stay safe by committing to driving distraction-free this summer with these easy-to-follow tips.
Put Down the Phone
Mobile phones are the biggest distraction. Even a quick glance at a text can divert your attention away from the road, causing a collision. A shocking number of car crashes are cell phone related. Even hands-free devices can be highly distracting. So put the phone down while you drive and if you need to answer a call or text, pull off the road and turn off the engine before using your phone.
Keep the Volume at a Reasonable Level
Loud music is not only distracting but also makes it difficult to hear emergency sirens and external sounds from others on the road. To drive safely, you need to be able to hear everything around you, so keep the volume to a reasonable level to easily hear the honk of a horn or whistle from a train.
Use Voice Command GPS
Trying to follow step-by-step navigation instructions on the infotainment screen can be extremely difficult while driving. It involves multi-tasking – finding your vehicle on the map and computing the instructions and distances between locations – all while you’re trying to focus. This is dangerous and also unnecessary. Today’s navigation apps feature voice commands that can help you stay more focused when getting from point A to B.
Keep the Kids Busy
If your children are always fighting in the back or constantly trying to get your attention, you can quickly lose focus. To keep them from shifting your attention off the road, keep them occupied with music, a movie, let them wear their headphones or play on their devices until you arrive at your destination.
Don’t Eat and Drink While Driving
It’s not uncommon to eat while driving to work or when you’re on a long road trip, but it’s not a great idea. Opening food wrapping, adding sugar to your coffee, and adding condiments to your food items can pull your focus from the road as well. In fact, spilling a hot drink is a major culprit behind motor vehicle accidents. If you’re starving or need to refuel on caffeine, pull over first and enjoy it before you start the engine.
You can’t always avoid distractions when you’re on the road, which is why it’s important to have the right auto insurance in place to protect you if you’re involved in a collision. Call us at Rowat Insurance and we’ll be happy to review your current coverage and make sure it’s the best policy for your needs.