No one assumes that they have dangerous driving habits. Even people that knowingly driver recklessly often claim that they have everything under control. All it takes for a life-changing accident to happen is a momentary distraction and the driver who created it.
Car accidents take the lives of more than 100 people every day. We can work to reduce that number by reflecting on our own driving habits and correcting the mistakes. Here are four common distractions that we can all work to eliminate from our driving habits:
Food and drinks
Eating while driving may seem like a good way to save time while you are in a rush, but it can come with more consequences than you are willing to accept. Eating on the road means that you have one of your hands dedicated to eating, which limits your ability to use your signal devices or operate your vehicle effectively.
GPS and the stereo
Long road trips may mean that you need to update your GPS to find a good pit stop. It can also mean looking for new radio stations or changing to a different playlist. The moments it takes to look down at your stereo can be deadly. Even a few moments with your eyes off the road can be equivalent to driving blindfolded for hundreds of yards.
Cell phones
Taking calls, texting, checking your email and even checking the weather are all not enough of a reason to endanger everyone around you. If you are not able to keep your phone out of your hand while driving, consider leaving it out of your reach, like in the glovebox.
Start correcting your behavior
No distraction is ever worth the risk of a fatal accident. If you need to use your phone or eat while driving, pull over to a safe place to do so. If you plan on using your GPS or stereo, make sure you have it correctly set up before driving. A few precautions before starting to drive can make the difference in whether or not you get into an accident.