5 Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving
While automobile accidents are bound to happen sometimes, they are much more frequent, and unfortunately avoidable, when dangerous driving practices are followed. Most people think that drunk driving as one of the most dangerous, and it is, but distracted driving accounts for many accidents every year and is one of the easiest traps to fall into. Distracted driving is defined as any action that takes the driver’s attention away from the road and the act of driving. Therefore, avoiding distracted driving usually involves doing what you can to stay focused and preparing in advance when you would be tempted not to be.
One of the most common forms of distracted driving is using a cell phone while on the road, particularly texting. This is also one of the worst, as it takes both the driver’s eyes, hands, and attention off the road and wheel. You should never text and drive, so to prevent the temptation to, it is a good idea to set an “away message” on your phone, which is an automated response that lets people know you are on the road and responses will be delayed, or put it on silent so you don’t know when messages are coming in. Another good idea is to put your phone in the backseat or trunk so you can’t reach it and therefore can’t answer it.
Distracted driving isn’t always phone use. Adjusting the radio or music device is also dangerous, but can be prevented by setting a playlist or CD of your own music that doesn’t need to be adjusted mid-trip. Eating and doing make-up in the car are also common practices and should always be done either before or after you drive and never during.
As stated, not everyone will always follow safe driving and you may be involved in an accident as a result. If you are and sustain and injury, you have every right to file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver to gain financial compensation and justice. To learn how we at the Franco Law Firm can guide you through this process, please call (813) 872-0929 and schedule a free consultation with us today!
