​​Avoid These Distractions When Driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in Canada, claiming thousands of lives each year. Injuries and property damage are also common. Accidents due to road conditions or the actions of other drivers can be difficult to avoid, but distracted driving is preventable.

We have all seen people in our neighborhood driving without paying attention to the road. We have seen it on the highways as well. We may even be guilty ourselves at times.

Today’s vehicles are easier to drive than ever before, bringing a range of “autopilot” features ranging from cruise control to lane assist and automatic emergency braking. These features can lull drivers into a sense of safety. While these features can boost safety, in the end, drivers are still responsible for piloting the vehicle without distraction.

Even if your vehicle has advanced safety features, the road can change quickly, requiring an attentive response. Here are some of the activities some drivers do while driving that lead to distracted driving.

– Talking or texting on the phone: Even with a hands-free device, phone conversations take us somewhere else. And texting can be worse. As a safer option than talking or texting, many phones allow a setting that sends an auto-reply message by text when you are driving.

– Eating: Driving while eating seems simple enough, until you start thinking about what can go wrong. When a meatball falls out of your sandwich, chances are good most drivers will not be looking at the road. Instead, park to eat if you are eating on the move.

– Reading maps or using a navigation app: Most of us use built-in GPS or a navigation app these days but fiddling with an app while driving can be just as dangerous as fiddling with a paper map. Park in a safe spot, set your destination and route preferences, and then start your journey.

– Reading books or the newspaper: We have all seen that driver with the newspaper spread across the steering wheel. Books may be less cumbersome, but still unsafe. Reading can also cause fatigue. Leave the reading for later, after you’ve reached your destination.

 – Grooming: Shaving, putting on makeup, and other grooming can put you or someone else in danger. Even if you are a pro at getting yourself put together, the best place to get ready is at home.

– Adjusting the stereo: Back in the day, car radios did not have may features of buttons. On, off, volume, and a few station presets. Today’s entertainment systems can be more complex to operate. The best solution is to choose a station or change your audio input after you park safely.

 With today’s busy schedules, many of us spend more time in our cars. The temptation to multitask when driving can lead to dangerous risks and distracted driving, even with tasks we have done a million times before. Just to be on the safe side, find a place to park if a task cannot wait until later. You might be surprised to learn how many things can wait until you get home or arrive at the office.

Safe driving can save you money with many insurers but avoiding distracted driving just might save someone’s life and health.