Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents all across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of people are killed every year due to distracted drivers. Inexperienced and younger drivers cause many of these accidents. Helping your teenage children learn useful distracted driving tips can reduce the number of accidents on our Alabama roads. If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash due to a distracted driver, you should consider reaching out to an accident lawyer.
Talk to Your Teens and Set a Good Example
One of the best ways to help your teenager stay safe behind the wheel is to set a good example. If you are using your phone or being distracted by something else while behind the wheel, your teenage drivers aren’t likely to take their safety too seriously either.
Sit down and talk to your kids.
Ensure they understand the importance of speaking up if they are in the car with a friend who is driving while distracted. Discuss these tips to avoid distracted driving.
Put Your Phone Away
Cell phones are a massive source of distraction for drivers. The distractions aren’t limited to texting and driving either. Taking a call, even hands-free, can distract you. Do you use your phone as a GPS or for playing music? Any of these things can take your attention away from the road, causing you to lose focus.
Try to keep your phone stowed away if possible, so you resist temptation. If you typically use your phone for navigation, turn your notifications off or put your phone on “do not disturb” mode for your drive time.
Don’t Be the Distractor
If you know a friend or family member is driving somewhere, try to avoid contacting them during that time. That means no texting, emailing, or calling them. Since most people get notifications on their phone, even an email can cause them to lose focus. If you do become distracted and end up getting into an accident you should know the insurance requirements and what different states legally require.
Don’t Reach for Something in the Car
Dropping something while driving is not uncommon. However, you should avoid reaching around to pick it up until you reach your destination. If the object could become lodged under your brake or gas pedal, pull over as soon as it’s safe to pick it up.
Set a Goal Not to Multitask
Sometimes you need to set a goal for yourself. Perhaps, before you get into your vehicle, you vow not to multitask while you’re driving. If you remember these distracted driving safety tips, you are more likely to maintain attention and less likely to endanger yourself and those in the vehicle.
Limit the Number of Passengers
If your teenager just got their license, restrict the number of passengers they can have in their vehicle. This can help reduce distractions even further. New drivers have a lot to learn and don’t need a car full of other people that could make it harder for them to focus.
Speak with an Accident Attorney
Instituting a few distracted driving tips into your regular driving routine can reduce accidents and save lives. Someone who causes an auto accident due to distracted driving should be held accountable for their negligence.
To learn more about your rights speak to a car accident attorney to hear some qualified legal advice.
