Car wrecks cause more than 37,000 deaths each year in the United States. That number can be brought down if everyone does their part. Use these tips to eliminate common distractions that could otherwise cause a fatal accident.
Put Your Phone Away/On Silent
Last year, 26 percent of car accidents in America were caused by a driver who was distracted by a cell phone. A simple solution to this problem would be to put your phone on silent and tuck it away in a bag or glove compartment to lessen the temptation of checking your phone while on the road.
Create a Playlist
Music stands as a distraction for some drivers as well. Scanning the radio stations every few songs to find the right one becomes a hassle and takes attention away from driving. If your car can connect to your phone, you can create a playlist with music you love and avoid searching for a good song on the radio. Alternatively, you can burn your favorite songs to a blank CD or even a cassette tape if necessary.
Put Food Away
After going through the drive-thru, refraining from eating a french fry or taking a bite of your food can prove to be difficult when you can smell it in the passenger seat. Bring out all of your will power and set the food in the backseat. Putting the food as far away from you as possible can help you with that problem.
Drive Defensively
When you don’t pay attention to cars around you, it could potentially cause a wreck. Make sure to drive defensively and actively pay attention to drivers around you. By taking into account that not all drivers can drive well, you can avoid a collision that could have been fatal.
Know Your Destination
If you decide to take a trip to a place you have never been, make sure you have a basic idea of what streets you need to turn on or what exits you need to take. Not knowing that you need to turn left immediately after the stop light can result in a quick decision that could cause a wreck.
