Licensed in Missouri and Kansas

Put an End to Distracted Driving: 7 Easy Ways to Stop

Distracted driving is an epidemic problem. The nation lost 35,092 people in traffic crashes in 2015 and distracted driving fatalities continue to rise at a greater percentage than those for drunk driving, speeding and failing to wear a seatbelt.

The harm it can cause, combined with how widespread it is, presents a serious danger to drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Your decision to stop driving distracted can greatly impact you and your loved one’s safety.

Here are 7 easy ways you can prevent yourself from distraction behind the wheel of a car.

  1. Put your phone in the trunk. This seems pretty simple, but there’s no better way of keeping you off the phone than simply putting it in the trunk. It can’t distract you when it’s in the trunk.
  1. Designate a texter. If you have a passenger, ask that person to be your phone handler. If something comes up and you must use your phone, give your phone to them to use.
  1. Pull over. If you must use your phone, update your GPS, or take care of your child while driving, pull over. Pulling over is a safe and easy alternative.
  1. Get a ride. If you must use your phone or do another activity, have someone else drive, like a taxi, Uber or Lyft. These services are surprisingly easy to use and free you from the need to focus on the road. You can spend the entire ride looking at your phone without any concern.
  1. Know what distracted driving does to your attention. Studies have shown that distracted driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. If you equate looking at your phone while driving with drinking while driving, you’ll probably have a better understanding of the danger and choose not to do it.
  1. Take the pledge. Pledge to Just Drive for your own safety and for others with whom you share the roads. Taking the pledge is easy on the NSC website.
  1. Take a stand. Change the voicemail greeting on your mobile phone to include a message about distracted driving. Examples can be found on the websites of the National Safety Council and the Canadian Road Safety at Work Initiative and include simple things like saying, “I may be driving right now, in which case I will return your call as soon as I stop.”

Unfortunately, distracted driving has become part of our culture and it needs to stop. We need to change our culture so that just like with drunk driving, distracted driving is no longer socially acceptable.

You can take a stand and make the change to be a safer, more responsible driver. Start today.

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