The best way to truly avoid distracted driving is to understand what it is and when you tend to do it. Distraction occurs any time you take your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off driving. It can be manually, visual, or cognitive – or two or three of those at a time. Read below to learn how our distracted driving lawyers suggest avoiding distracted driving.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident with a distracted driver, reach out to an Ohio car accident lawyer at Kisling, Nestico & Redick right away at 1-800-HURT-NOW. We can evaluate your case during a risk free consultation.
Tips for Avoiding Distracted Driving
Here are some ideas on how you can limit your distraction while driving in order to avoid accidents:
- Put your cell phone away. A great way to avoid picking up your phone while you drive is to keep it in a purse, suitcase, bag, or the glove compartment. If your cell phone is in sight, it can be tempting to pick it up when you see a text or use it when you think of someone you need to call.
- Improve your morning routine. Many people drive distracted in the morning because they are still trying to wake up, eat breakfast, or finish getting ready for work. A way to avoid trying to multi-task during your morning commute is to improve your morning routine, either by getting up earlier or becoming more efficient. This can be a challenge, but you may only need 15 more minutes or to prepare breakfast the night ahead of time to ensure you have nothing else to do except drive when you leave for work.
- Never eat in the car. It is always tempting to pick up food at the drive-thru and eat while on the road. However, eating while driving is a common and dangerous distraction. Try to go into the restaurant and eat, or at least pull your vehicle over in the parking lot.
- Limit passengers. Sometimes, you can’t avoid having a full vehicle. However, if you have the choice, limit how many people you drive around. The more people in your car at a time, the greater the likelihood of paying more attention to them than the road.
- Keep your kids entertained. You cannot simply ignore your children when they have questions or want to talk while you drive. The best you can do is try to ensure they are entertained. Depending on your family rules and preferences, you may want to keep books, toys, games, and movies in the car.
- Know your route beforehand. If you are driving somewhere new, look up the directions before you leave so you are at least familiar with where you are going. If you still need the GPS while in the vehicle, get it set up and set to voice commands before you start driving.
- If you need to do something, pull over. If at any time you need to do something other than drive, you should pull over. Stopping on the side of the highway should only be used in the case of emergencies, but while in a city, you can quickly pull into a parking lot or a residential side road.
Were You Injured by a Distracted Driver? Call KNR Today
No matter how hard you work on being a focused driver, you cannot control other driver’s behavior. You could be hit by a distracted driver and suffer anything from minor to catastrophic injuries. In this case, call our distracted driving lawyers from Kisling, Nestico & Redick to discuss your legal options. If you have a valid personal injury claim, we can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Contact an Ohio car accident lawyer today at 1-800-HURT-NOW or online to schedule a free consultation.
