In today’s world, there are more distractions than ever before to take our eyes away from the road. From easy access to addicting apps like Snapchat and Instagram to finishing your makeup or vaping away, the roads have never felt less safe. Below we’ve compiled a list of tips to prevent yourself from getting distracted while driving. We’ve also included advice to keep you safe in a world where everybody seems to be texting or taking selfies while driving.
How to Prevent Getting Distracted While on the Road:
- Place your phone in a hard to reach area and only reach for it in an absolute emergency. Remember, no text or selfie is worth your life or the lives of others on the road. It can wait.
- Consider what you will need prior to starting on your journey. This includes setting the GPS to your destination, placing food and water in easy to access areas, putting together a music playlist prior to hitting the road, taking your coat off, adjusting your seat and mirrors, etc.
- Fix your hair, makeup and outfit before getting behind the wheel or plan to fix yourself once you have reached your destination. This will prevent you from trying to fill in an eyebrow or slicking back your hair when at a traffic light or while driving.
- Choose the foods and drinks you are traveling with wisely. Messy foods that can drip or get all over your hands are more likely to distract you. Also try to be intentional with the liquid containers you take on the road as not all containers are made to be spill-proof. Using an open glass instead of a bottle can lead to unnecessary splashing that will take your focus away from the road.
- Adjust everything in your vehicle prior to departing. This includes making sure children, pets, food and fragile items are secure. If you need to make adjustments, pull over when it is safe to do so and only then take care of what you need.
How to Drive More Carefully With Distracted Drivers on the Road:
- Keep an eye on your rear and side mirrors so you are aware of the vehicles around you. Being mindful of other vehicles will allow you to adjust if a particular driver is driving aggressively close to you or if there’s an oversized vehicle is approaching.
- Try to create a safe distance from other vehicles when possible. Unsure how much space is enough? Try following the 3 second rule where you create enough space to pass an object on the road at least 3 to 5 seconds after the vehicle in front of you has.
- Honk if you have to! If someone is distracted to the point where you think they’re a danger to you, themselves or others on the road, use your horn to get their attention. Your honking can be the difference between a safe driving experience and a crash.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligent or distracted driving, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact the Parrish Law Firm at (571) 229 – 1800 or visit us here for a FREE legal consultation.
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About Jim Parrish
Jim Parrish’s vision has always been to bring peace to clients whose lives have been turned upside down by their personal injuries and from dealing with unscrupulous insurance companies. With over 20 years of personal injury experience, as well as prior experience working with the insurance companies, Jim is well versed in the tricky ways that insurance companies try to scheme their way out of paying damages to deserving injured persons.
For the first several years of his career, Jim Parrish worked for, provided advice to and represented insurance companies in claims across the nation. However, after seeing the injustice of good people being deprived of fair and reasonable payment for life-changing injuries and damage, Jim decided to use the skills and knowledge he learned from inside the insurance industry to champion the rights of victims of harm and wrongdoing.
Jim’s practice is exclusively limited to personal injury matters arising from car/motorcycle/trucking accidents, dog attacks, products liability, and more.
If you have been involved in a personal injury, call the Parrish Law Firm for a FREE legal consultation today at (571) 364 – 6307 or message us here.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
