Driving is a huge responsibility as once you are on the road, you are responsible for the safety of others with you in the vehicle, other people on the road, and yourself. However, many of us don`t always follow some of the safety rules religiously; for example, many are guilty of checking their phone while driving, thinking that they won`t be a statistic. In reality, this is highly likely, as these couple of seconds that your eyes were distracted from the road can result in a fatal accident. Distracted driving is the main reason behind many serious road accidents. Read on to learn how to avoid distractions while driving and why it is important.
Keep Your Hand on the Wheel
When driving, your hands should be on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road! Many serious accidents occur as a result of drivers checking their phones or eating while driving. Other than being dangerous, using the phone while driving is illegal too. In case of emergency, you should first pull over and then make your call.
Moreover, being hungry and in a hurry is not an excuse to put your life and the life of others in danger. You can pull over, grab a bite, then resume your journey, but do not consider driving while one hand is occupied and the other on the wheel. Also, food spills are the cause of many distracted driving accidents.
Feeling Drowsy? Pull Over
You shouldn`t consider driving if you are running on little sleep. The same applies if you`re on medication that causes drowsiness; however, people still tend to do so. Being sleepy can increase the risk of getting involved in a road accident by four percent. How many times have you read about a distracted truck driver nodding off and crashing into another vehicle on the road?
Especially in places with busy streets, such as El Paso, Texas. Feeling sleepy is one of the most dangerous driving distractions, especially among truck drivers, as they spend long hours on the road and have irregular working schedules. If you ever feel drowsy, you should pull over in a safe spot and take a power nap, or head into a nearby coffee shop for a boost before you hit the road again.
Limit the Number of Passengers
Teenagers that have just got their driving licenses should not drive while having other teens with them in the car for the first couple of months. Teenagers are more likely to be less responsible and more excited about driving, which can increase the risk of getting involved in road accidents.
That is why, in the US, most states do not allow teenagers to have other teenage passengers in the car the first couple of months of obtaining their license.
Never estimate the power of getting distracted for a couple of seconds while driving, as it can result in a serious road accident. It is unfair that people, who do abide by the driving rules, get involved in a car accident because the other driver was talking on the phone or otherwise distracted.
Your safety and the safety of others should always be on your mind while driving, and remember that nothing is worth the physical, mental, and emotional damages that can result from road accidents.