3 Strategies for Preventing Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is dangerous. In 2018 alone it’s estimated that 400,000 people were injured in car accidents that involved a distracted driver and 2,800 were killed. Distracted driving can also quickly become a habit. The only way to break a bad habit is by changing your behavior. Below are three strategies aimed at addressing some of the most common reasons people make distracted driving errors that can lead to a car accident.

1. Put your phone out of reach—talking texting, checking emails, weather and more on the cell phone is one of the biggest distractions for drivers of all ages. If you’ve become hooked on this habit, turn your phone off or put it in the back seat where you can’t reach it. Set a message on your phone that says you’re driving now, and you’ll call back as soon as you safely reach your destination.
2. Leave 15 minutes early—we’ve all seen people doing many things while driving, from putting on makeup to shaving to eating. Often this occurs because someone is running late. Start to back up the time you leave home for work, appointments, and social engagements by 15 minutes. That may mean setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier as well but if that’s what it takes to avoid a car crash it’s well worth it.
3. Get set before you go—input your destination on your GPS, choose your music and adjust the heating/cooling settings to where you like them before you leave the driveway. No matter how well you know your car, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can be all that it takes to cause an accident.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of a DUI, car, truck, or motorcycle accident, dog attack, or a slip and fall incident? If so Tiemann Law Firm can help. Our experienced car accident attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, same-day consultation by calling: (916) 999-9000 or toll-free: (800) 712-2000.