Distracted driving is one of the most rampant and insidious hazards on the highway today. While increasing federal and state action has placed heightened awareness and enforcement on the dangerous activity, it remains at the top of crash causes. However, distracting driving is a hazard that can somewhat easily be prevented with knowledge and willpower. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) provided the following rules, and we extracted seven that every driver must abide by to eradicate distracted driving.
- Don’t use your phone. Cell phones are the most common causes of distracted driving. Disable the ringer when driving to avoid unintentional distraction or temptation.
- Never text behind the wheel. This is among the most deadly forms of cell phone use as it takes your eyes, mind, and hands away from the wheel.
- If you absolutely need to make a call, pull over to a parking lot or comparably safe region.
- Know where you’re going before you leave. Don’t take your eyes or concentration off the road to adjust GPS devices or view maps.
- Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by passengers. This includes children and pets (which should also be secured). Any issues that involve attention or emotion should be handled when the car is parked in a safe place — or better yet, when everyone is out of it.
- Stay focused on driving and nothing else. Don’t eat, drink, smoke, or anything else that removes your attention from the road.
- Use an application or service that lets callers know you’re driving and that you will call them back as soon as you’re off the road.
It’s also important that all drivers understand the law. In many states, the ban on text messaging is a primary law, and that number is continually growing. The amount of states prohibiting the usage of all hand held devices while driving is also steadily increasing. Have you been injured in an Oklahoma car accident that you think was the fault of distracted driving? Contact the Oklahoma traffic accident attorneys with Maples Law Firm at 1(405) 705-5050 for a complimentary case review.
