How One Common Driving Distraction Could Land You In Serious Trouble

Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of car crashes happening on American roadways. Many of these crashes are the result of the all too common phenomenon of distracted driving. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2012 and 2020, nearly 29,000 people died in collisions involving a distracted driver, oftentimes involving someone who was texting while driving. In 2020 alone, the number of deaths linked to driver distraction was 3,142 nationwide. That's about 8% of all fatalities.

Tips For Safer Driving

Driving safely means avoiding behaviors that put you or others at risk like not operating a car when your attention is compromised. Having a similar set of safety precautions when it comes to texting and driving is a habit all drivers should adopt.

Unsure of how to incorporate safer driving practices into your everyday life? Try the following steps:

• If a text comes through when you are driving, or you’re at a light waiting for it to change and want to check your messages or social media, resist the urge and keep your mind on the road.
• If you get a text and are alone when you receive it, stop and pull over to the side of the road or to another safe location. Once you are situated and parked, read and then send your response.
• If you are in the car with a passenger and need to text, this can work to your advantage. Ask them to be your designated texter.
• If you are someone who is a huge texter or struggles with staying off it, activate your phone's “Do Not Disturb” feature.
• If all else fails, put your phone in a location where you can't access it such as the glove box, trunk, or back seat until you arrive at your location. This way you won't be tempted to scroll social media or respond until it's safe to do so.

One of the best things you can do as a driver is to be an example for others. This means adopting a no texting while you drive policy, and if you see other people doing it make sure to speak up. If you are in the car with friends or relatives who are engaging in this dangerous behavior, tell them to stop and offer to help them text so they can focus on the road.

The next time you get the urge to text or scroll social media while driving, stop yourself. This decision could save your life and others. Texting and driving is a selfish and often illegal activity that could kill you, a loved one, a friend, or even a stranger. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.