Over the past fifteen years distracted driving has become a more prevalent concern in our more instantly gratified world. With nearly every person in the United States having information at their fingertips with their smartphones, and AI becoming more ingrained in day to day activities, it is easier than ever to be distracted. For this reason it is absolutely critical that we as a society learn to prioritize our safety on the road.
Today, the number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. In fact 3,208 lives were lost to distracted drivers, and over 300,000 people were injured because of it. As your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers we have seen first hand the toll that a car accident can have on someone, and we believe everyone should know what steps they can take to be safer behind the wheel. In this article our car accident lawyers will be providing you with detailed tips on how you can avoid distracted driving in order to keep yourself and others safe while on the road.
Put Away Your Phone
By far in a way the number one contributor to distracted driving is cell phone usage. Social media apps are designed to decrease our attention spans and keep us engaged, and your friends and family are only one click away on your phone. This is why it can be so hard to put down the phone while at the wheel.
One way that you can minimize your phone use while driving is to put your phone in a place where you cannot reach it. The saying goes “out of sight, out of mind”, and it can be the key to stopping your phone usage while driving. If you do not have a discreet place for your phone, consider placing it on silent, or a designated “drive mode” that prevents you from getting notifications while driving. If you absolutely have to use your phone then utilize hands free options like bluetooth or voice commands so that your attention can still stay on the road where it belongs.
Here in Utah, there are strict laws prohibiting the use of any mobile devices while you are driving. Breaking this law can result in serious penalties. So keep that in mind before you reach for your phone. .
Plan Ahead
One tip we strongly recommend to avoid distracted driving is to plan your journey ahead of time. Whether you are taking a road trip to visit a friend or family member, or a quick trip to the grocery store, take time to plan your route ahead of time. Make sure that before you have started driving you have adjusted your mirrors properly, set your GPS or navigation device to your destination, and have selected your music or podcast. By planning your destination ahead of time, and adjusting your vehicle you will be able to reduce the need to fiddle with these things while driving, allowing your focus to fully be on the journey ahead of you.
Limit Multi-Tasking
We like to think that we are pretty good multi-taskers, but did you know that the brain cannot actually properly multi-task? Our brains actually lack the fundamental ability to truly complete two tasks that require high-level brain function at the same time, so why do we insist on doing them while driving? A task like eating, or doing your makeup, or even reading a text while driving can all divert your attention fully off of the road. Think about the scenario you are putting yourself in, when we drive we are operating a two ton wrecking ball. So why are we so comfortable with distracting ourselves?
If you find yourself needing to eat, or apply makeup these should all be done ahead of time. Or if necessary you should pull into a safe location and complete these tasks before you begin driving. When you are driving, eliminating the need to multitask means that your focus is fully on the road, and greatly lowers your risk of getting into a car accident.
Stay Organized
Another easy step that you can take to keep your attention on the road is to ensure that your car is neat and organized. This may seem like a completely unnecessary step, but it can actually help reduce distractions. By securing any loose items around your car such as water bottles, or electronic devices it helps prevent them from rolling around or making a noise. A random noise or clicking can take your mind off of the task at hand, and could potentially lead to a car accident. By maintaining a clean and organized car these distractions can be eliminated making it a much easier place to focus on driving.
Educate Passenger and Utilize Technology Wisely
Sometimes when you are driving with passengers they can be a distraction. If you are driving with friends or family be sure to let them know that your focus is on the road. You can help keep your focus by encouraging them to help with small tasks like navigating, adjusting controls in the vehicle, as well as handling text messages or calls.
These steps can go hand in hand with utilizing your car’s technological features. Modern cars come equipped with all sorts of safety features, such as lane departure and collision avoidance systems. Familiarize yourself and your passengers with these features as it can be extremely helpful during a longer journey.
Take Breaks on Long Trips
Fatigue is a very common contributing factor to distracted driving. When you are on a long trip you might want to keep pushing through and drive to your destination without stopping, leading to fatigue or drowsy driving. The impact of drowsy driving is often underestimated but it is extremely serious.
If you are planning to take a long trip then you should plan ahead of time to stop every two to three hours to stretch your legs, get food, or just take a break. By doing this you give your mind and body time to recuperate and be ready for the journey ahead of you.
The Utah Department of Public Safety found that between 2017-2021 that 27,514 crashes were caused due to distracted driving. These accidents resulted in 15,004 people being injured. Something has to change, and our Salt Lake City car accident lawyers firmly believe a more conscious effort to prioritize your safety has to be taken. By implementing the tips that we detailed above you will be able to keep your focus on the road and significantly reduce your chances of being distracted while driving.
However, your actions can only help to protect you. If you or someone you know is involved in a car accident by someone else’s negligence then you do not have to suffer. Contacting the best car accident lawyers in Salt Lake City at LifeLaw Trial Lawyers should be your first step. Our team of car accident lawyers truly care about your safety and well being. We will help you through every step of the legal process, from starting your case, to beginning treatment, to getting you the compensation you deserve. You do not have to suffer because of someone else’s negligence. Give our team of car accident lawyers a call today for a free consultation, and to discuss your next steps on your road to recovery.