Driving can be dangerous, we really take out lives into our own hands everytime we get into the car. In 2015 it was reported that there were 6.3 million crashes in the US alone, many with fatalities. You can make it safer, though, just by putting some thought into the way that you behave behind the wheel. Here are some things that you should never do while driving to stop you getting distracted.
- Have an emotional phone conversation
You might not be driving down the roads I identified as the most dangerous in Ireland but however relatively safe you feel your route is, your mind needs to be focused on the road ahead of you. An emotional conversation will distract you, so it is much better to wait until you get to where you are going before you let those feelings pour out.
- Drink Alcohol
Drinking behind the wheel or even being behind the wheel when you have a certain level of alcohol in your bloodstream is illegal, do it and you are likely to need a Texas Super Lawyer to mediate on your behalf with the authorities. There is no getting away from the fact that drink does impair your judgment, even having a small amount of alcohol could cause you to take risks on the road that you usually wouldn’t and cause you to react slower to events on the road. Just don’t do it.
- Get Dressed
Never ever get dressed behind the wheel. That moment when you pull your top over your face, you won’t be able to see the road, or when you bend to fasten up your boots you are not concentrating on what’s ahead. Trust me, it only takes a split second for an accident to happen. Don’t risk being distracted.
- Lean over to reach something
Again, lean over to reach something and you are likely taking your eyes off the road. Safe driving guidelines always tell you that you have to be able to anticipate the road ahead at all times so that you can react as circumstances change. Take your eyes off of the road and you are impairing your ability to do this. Ask someone to pass something to you if you really need it or pull over and retrieve it safely.
- Discipline your Children
We’ve all been there when you are on a long journey and the kids are driving you mad, it’s so easy to lay into them. However, think about it from a safety point of view. While you are shouting and nagging your children are you really 100% focused on the road ahead? The answer is most probably no, when we are having difficult conversations it is super hard to maintain concentration on another task. We all know that discipline does need to happen, but maybe you should tell the kids to be quiet as you need to concentrate on driving and that you will speak to them when you reach your destination.
The trick to staying safe on the roads is to maintain your concentration and focus on the events that are unfolding in front of your eyes. It is when you become distracted that you can fail to react. Get rid of as many distractions as you can to increase your safety.
