What constitutes “distracted driving?” Pretty much any activity that draws the attention of you, the driver, away from the road counts. Regardless of what the distraction is, all put you, your passengers, other drivers, bikers and pedestrians in danger. The following are some of the most common distractions presented while driving:
- Texting, talking or doing anything on a mobile phone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking with others in the car
- Using a GPS
- Adjusting the radio or CD player
- Adjusting the heating or air conditioning
- Grooming or looking at yourself in the mirror
It shouldn’t surprise you that text messaging is the most dangerous distraction. It takes your eyes and attention off the road, and your hands away from the steering wheel and other functions you need to use while driving. Twenty-five percent of teens have admitted to responding to at least one text message every time they drive. In the United States, an estimated 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving at any given moment during the day.
Whether you are in the driver’s or passenger seat, the best way to prevent distracted driving is to keep yourself and fellow drivers educated about the potential risks. Check out the FAQ from the US Government site for distracted driving for more information.
Look up and keep focused on the road ahead – your phone, CD player, lip gloss or whatever you need can wait!
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