Many people have a limited definition of “distracted driving”: They think it only means texting
behind the wheel.

There’s good reason for that, because texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention – the
same attention required for safe driving. But although texting is perhaps the most dangerous
distraction, there are many others that can impact how you drive, whether you realize it or not. And
they can be just as deadly.

How deadly? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Department
of Transportation, in 2014 more than 400,000 people were injured in crashes caused by distracted
drivers – with more than 3,000 killed.

Here are just a few of the things that can distract drivers on the road:

• Talking on the phone, even with a hands-free device.
• Eating or drinking
• Talking to passengers.
• Reading, including maps.
• Grooming (yes, there really are people who apply makeup or shave on their way to work).
• Adjusting the stereo.

Younger drivers are the most distracted of all – according to the government’s distraction.gov
website, people in their 20s make up 38% of drivers who were using cell phones before a fatal crash,
and 10% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted, too.

With distractions more prevalent than ever – more than 150 billion text messages are sent in the U.S.
every month, for example – how can you, and those you love, be safer behind the wheel? Here are a
few tips:

• Don’t use the phone: This includes texting as well as talking, unless it’s an emergency.
  Even hands-free conversations can take your attention off the road.
• Eat before you leave, or after you get there: Scarfing down that burger with one hand
  on the wheel means your focus is divided – and you probably don’t have as much control
  over your car as you should. Bonus benefit: Keeping your meals and your driving separate
  means you’re much less likely to get ketchup on your pants.
• Know where you’re going: Nobody likes to be lost. But messing around with your car’s
  GPS (or the maps app on your smartphone) while you’re moving can lead to something you’ll
  hate even more – an accident.
• Talk to your family about safe driving: Having a conversation with your spouse as
  they’re driving home? That’s a perfect opportunity to say, “I’ll let you focus on the road; we
  can talk when you get here.” And if you have young drivers in the household, be sure to have
  a conversation about their phones and other potential issues, such as their passengers – a key
  distraction for teens.
• Watch for other distracted drivers: Just because you aren’t distracted doesn’t mean
  that other drivers are focused on safe driving. Stay in control and be vigilant – you’ll be ready
  to react when someone else makes the wrong move.

Distracted driving isn’t just “one of those things” that happens, like a tire blowout or mechanical
failure that isn’t anyone’s fault. It’s 100% preventable – and by committing to avoiding distractions
while you drive, you’ll help make the road safer for everyone.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Top image by Flickr user Government of Alberta used under Public domain. Image cropped and
modified from original.