Every day, thousands of drivers commute on busy Florida highways and byways. While many people understand the risks of drunk driving, some are not aware about how dangerous distracted driving can be.
Distracted driving can be deadly
Most drivers are guilty of talking on the phone, programming their navigation system or even responding to texts while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, just a few seconds is all it can take to crash a car due to distracted driving. Every time your eyes are off the road, you could be putting yourself and other drivers at serious risk of personal injury due to an auto accident that could have easily been avoided.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is caused by any activity that causes you to take your attention off of driving. Whether you look down for a second to change the radio station or answer the phone, all types of distracted driving increase your risk of serious accidents. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Eating
- Reading a map
- Using your phone hands-free
- Texting while driving
How can you reduce distracted driving?
The best way to minimize your risk of being involved in an accident due to distracted driving is to practice awareness each time you get behind the wheel. You can reduce your risk of distracted driving by:
- Putting your phone away
- Never driving if you feel tired
- Waiting to eat or drink until you’re out of the car
- Adjusting your GPS settings before you leave the driveway
Even if you’re an experienced driver, driving while distracted is never worth the risk. Too many injuries and deaths happen because of distracted driving. You can do your part to make the roads safer for everyone by becoming a more alert and attentive driver each time you get into the car. If you do end up in an accident due to another driver’s distracted behavior, a personal injury attorney may tell you what to do next.