Tips for Staying Focused on the Road

The Effects of Distracted Driving

Did you know that writing or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. And if you are driving at 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of a football field – blindfolded!

That’s according to Distraction.gov, the official US Government website for preventing distracted driving. Experts also say that if you text and drive, your chances of getting into a car accident are 20 percent higher than drivers who pay undivided attention to the road. But it’s not just texting that’s the culprit — by talking on you cell phone, you are cutting the brain activity devoted to driving by 37 percent!

Yet, according to Distraction.gov, 78 percent of young people admit to having read a text while driving, and 71 percent say they have sent a text message while driving.

Know the Law

You can check out an interactive map that outlines the state laws on cell phone use and texting while driving here.

Tips for Staying Focused on the Road

The United Services Automobile Association’s Educational Foundation lists the following sets of rules to keep you focused:

• Don’t use a cell phone except in an emergency. This includes making calls and texting.
• Don’t eat, drink or smoke.
• Don’t apply make-up or do any other personal grooming tasks.
• Don’t read maps or GPS devices — have a fellow passenger assist you, and if you are driving alone, pull over to a safe location.
• Don’t engage in lengthy or loud conversations. Do ask your passengers to keep their noise level down. Save serious discussions for another time and place.
• Don’t adjust vehicle controls like the interior temperature or radio stations.
• Don’t pick up items that have fallen on the floor or elsewhere.
• Keep your mind and your eyes on the road!

You can also make a commitment to drive phone-free today.