Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving Accidents
Posted on October 26, 2017 in Personal Injury
Every day, an average of nine people are killed and more than 1,000 people are injured in car accidents involving distracted drivers throughout the United States. Distracted driving is one of the greatest threats to safety on the road today, and drivers who take their attention off the road to use their cell phone, adjust their radio or environmental controls, or converse with passengers are putting everyone who uses the road at risk.
It can be difficult to resist the temptation to take your eyes off the road to look at your phone or perform another activity, but by following these tips, you can protect yourself and others from the threat of distracted driving accidents:
- Only use your phone in an emergency - Any cell phone use while driving, including making hands-free calls, can cause you to miss important details that might help you avoid a crash. It is best to turn off your phone altogether, and if you need to make an emergency call, pull over to a safe place first.
- Make adjustments before leaving - Adjusting your radio station, the position of your seat, or your car’s heater or air conditioner while driving can be enough of a momentary distraction to cause an accident. Making sure everything is configured before setting out on the road can help you avoid taking your eyes off the road while you are driving.
- Store loose items - Make sure any items in the car are properly secured, so that you will not take your attention off the road to reach for items that roll around while the car is moving.
- Secure children before driving - Children should be fully buckled up before you begin driving. Do not reach into the back seat to take care of them; if you need to attend to their needs, you should pull over to a safe place first.
- Avoid eating and drinking - Try to eat any meals or snacks before leaving, or pull over to a safe place to do so, since eating and drinking while driving can be enough of a distraction to cause an accident.
- Do not try to multi-task - It can be tempting to try to complete some other tasks while you drive, such as grooming, reading a magazine, or writing a note. However, dividing your attention between the task of driving and any other activities, even for a moment, can lead to an accident.
Contact a Hinsdale Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident that you believe was caused by someone’s distracted driving, the experienced attorneys at Martoccio & Martoccio can help you obtain compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact a DuPage County car accident attorney today at 630-920-8855.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html
http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/tips-for-preventing-distracted-driving/#.WdO8IRNSyV4
https://www.geico.com/information/safety/auto/teendriving/distracted-driving/
https://www.farmers.com/inner-circle/car-safety/7-tips-to-avoid-driving-distractions/