April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The National Safety Council (NSC) started this movement to increase awareness around this dangerous issue and reduce the number of distracted drivers.
With Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes a wealth of information, guidelines, and tips to build better, safer driving habits.
What is distracted driving? Any activity that diverts attention from driving is considered a distraction. No matter how small or short the distraction is, it can result in a costly ticket, serious injury, or worse.
Whether someone you love has been known to text and drive, or you have found yourself distracted behind the wheel, these tips can help avoid dangerous activity on the road.
1 – Stow your phone. Turning off the phone and putting it in “do not disturb” mode can help remove the temptation to browse online at a red light or respond right away to a text message.
2 – Vow not to multitask. Anything that occupies your mind or vision can be a distraction behind the wheel. Make time at home to eat meals or put on makeup so you can focus on the road.
3 – Don’t be a distraction. Avoid calling or texting family members and friends when you know they are driving to avoid distracting them.
4 – Talk to your employer. Responding to texts or taking calls for work while driving can be dangerous. Encourage your employer to have a distracted driving policy that includes waiting to talk with employees until they are safely parked.
5 – Keep kids and pets safe. Make sure kids are in proper car seats and that pets stay secured in their zone in the back of your vehicle. It can also help reduce distractions if pets are not roaming about the car.
6 – Set a good example. Parents can model good behavior for their children by demonstrating attentive driving. Avoid texting, eating, grooming or calling someone while behind the wheel.
7 – Plan your route before you go. Programming your navigation system while you drive can take your eyes off the road. It’s better to ask a passenger to do it or to enter your destination before you leave home.
8 – Speak up. If you see someone texting or otherwise driving while distracted, say something and let them know that you are not comfortable with that behavior. Encourage your children to do the same when they are passengers in a friend’s car. It could save a life.
9 – Set rules of the road. Consider restricting the number of passengers until your teen or new driver gains experience behind the wheel.
10 – Avoiding reaching. Resist the urge to reach for items if they fall while driving. Taking your eyes off the road to search for an item can make you more likely to have an accident.
Share these tips to help keep others safe.
Should you or a family member be in a distrcted driving accident which injuries are sustained, the first thing you should do is contact a personal injury attorney. When you are represented by a skilled attorney, you’ll have your best chance of being fairly compensated for any injuries that you sustain in an accident.
Call Jacobson, Schrinsky & Houck in Milwaukee TODAY at (414) 223-4444 to have one of our caring lawyers come out to meet you and get car accident help TODAY and money for your injuries. There is no fee until we win.
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