What are the best ways to prevent distracted driving?

Only the person behind the wheel can truly prevent distracted driving. You have the ability to take your eyes off the road for a number of reasons, from using a cellphone to conversing with passengers to eating food. However, doing so is a big risk as it could cause an accident that injures or kills you and/or others on the road.

Authorities are taking steps to prevent distracted driving. For example, most states have laws in place that prohibit texting and driving. But even with this law, there is no guarantee that everybody will obey it.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are things drivers can do to prevent distracted driving. These include:

— Turn off all electronic items, especially cellphones, when driving. Furthermore, put the items out of reach.

— Teach younger drivers that distracted driving is dangerous. For example, if you have a teen driver in your home you should explain the dangers of distracted driving.

— Don’t let others drive distracted when you are a passenger. There is nothing wrong with speaking up, even if it means that you hurt the other person’s feelings.

— Always wear your seat belt, as this can save your life in the event of an accident.

These are just some of the many ways to prevent distracted driving. There is no way to entirely stop this behavior, but you can definitely do your part.

As you drive, pay attention to others who may be distracted. If you see somebody driving erratically, be sure to keep your distance. If you are injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, you do have legal options, including seeking compensation for your injuries and damages in civil court.

Source: DailyMiner, “Distracted driving: As dangerous as driving drunk,” accessed Sep. 30, 2015