Getting the message
One of the saddest facts to come out of national auto accident data is the number of wrecks that occur because of texting. Whether the driver is sending or reading a text message, his or her eyes are off the road for several seconds. That may not seem like a big deal, but those few seconds of inattention are enough to cause a horrendous crash. The advice here is simple: Never, ever engage in texting while driving. Here are some other tips to avoid distraction while driving.
Calling it in
A problem similar to texting is using your cell phone to make or take calls while driving. If you are a salesman, realtor or doctor en route to the hospital, an incoming call may be important. Ask the caller to hold while you navigate to a safe stop at the side of the road. The alternative is to shut down your cell phone completely while you drive, or shut it away in the glove compartment so you will not be tempted to use it.
Traveling with Fido
Most dogs love to ride in cars, and because they are part of the family, their humans enjoy taking them along on trips to the park, the beach or any destination that appears on Fido’s Best Places To Go list. However, while the driver and all human passengers wear seat belts, the family dog may be riding unprotected. If an accident should occur, there is a possibility that the dog could be injured or become a projectile upon impact, possibly injuring a passenger. Seat belts are available for dogs, and if your pet likes to ride with you, it is a good idea to consider getting one to avoid distraction while driving.
Your car as a snack bar
You may think that the ill-advised use of electronic devices rates as the number one cause of traffic accidents. However, that dubious honor goes to the act of driving while eating or drinking. Hot coffee ranks as the number one problem because it can cause a major distraction if it spills on you, your carpet or your nice leather seat. You have likely seen other drivers eating or drinking and their focus is not on the road. Do not imitate them. Enjoy your takeout sandwich and drink, but park your car first or wait until you reach your destination to avoid distraction while driving.
Handling the kids
Children can be among the worst distractions when you are on the road. If you are a parent, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with a fretful or demanding child while you are driving. Try to anticipate potential problems and devise solutions before you get behind the wheel. Once there, avoid reacting: do not reach over to pick up a toy dropped on the floor and do not let screaming or crying take your focus away from the road. If your child needs your attention, pull over to a safe location and stop the car before you address the issue.
Help when you need it
You may make it a point to avoid distraction while driving, but accidents do happen, and many times they involve personal injury. Should this kind of unfortunate situation happen to you, attorneys are standing by to help. If you are a resident of Northern or Central Florida, you can rely on the assistance of caring professionals who are highly experienced with personal injury cases.
