6 Smart Tips for Text-Free Driving

Let’s face it. We all love our smartphones. But, there’s a time and place for everything and texting and driving are never a good mix. Just check out these startling statistics shared by the Canadian Automobile Association:

– Drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash event compared with non-distracted drivers.
– Checking a text for 5 seconds means that at 90 km/h, you’ve traveled the length of a football field blindfolded.
– About 26% of all car crashes involve phone use, including hands-free phone use.
– Researchers estimate that drivers using phones look at, but fail to see up to 50% of the information in their driving environment.

Because we know how hard it can be to disconnect during your commute, here are our 4 best tips to help you master text-free driving.

Silence your phone: Put your phone in “do not disturb” mode while you’re driving so the notifications and ringer don’t tempt you when you’re behind the wheel.
Just put it away: Out of sight really is out of mind. Resist the temptation by putting your phone in your purse or in the glove compartment while you drive.
Use your passengers: No one loves a backseat driver, but a backseat texter could come in handy. Let your passengers respond to texts and answer calls for you if you feel it can’t wait until you reach your destination.
Download a prevention app: Still don’t trust yourself? There are several great apps you can download that will lock your phone whenever your car is in motion.
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Remember, your kids, friends, and spouse all take a cue from watching your phone habits while driving. By letting calls go to voicemail or pulling over to respond to a text, you send a clear message that safety is your #1 priority.