Distracted driving remains a problem in Pennsylvania and across the United States. To encourage drivers to maintain focus, the U.S. Department of Transportation has declared April National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As part of its campaign, the DOT features a variety of strategies for avoiding distracted driving.
While employing the DOT’s safe-driving tactics is a good way to boost your chances of avoiding a distraction-related collision, you can do more. Here are four additional tips for maintaining your driving focus:
- Stash your smartphone
While there are other types of distracted driving, using your smartphone is exceptionally dangerous. As such, you should try only to use your phone for emergencies. To avoid the temptation to reach for your device, stash it in the glove compartment or another console until you reach your destination.
- Stop multi-tasking
Like your friends, family members and colleagues, you seem to be busier than ever nowadays. Your vehicle, though, is no place to multi-task. Remember, anything you do to distract yourself from the driving task potentially puts your life at risk.
- Curb activities
Your car, truck or SUV is not a party bus. Accordingly, you should try to curb the activities that go on inside your vehicle. Limiting the number of passengers you transport is likely an effective strategy. Similarly, you should ask others in your vehicle to behave calmly.
- Wait to eat
In some parts of State College, fast-food restaurants are seemingly on every corner. While there is nothing inherently wrong with using a pickup window, you should wait to eat until you park your car in a safe place. After all, you want to enjoy your meal without endangering yourself or others.
When you drive, you simply cannot leave your personal safety to chance. While you cannot control the actions of other drivers, you certainly can commit to avoiding dangerous behaviors. Maintaining focus every time you climb behind the wheel is a good place to start.
