Distracted Driving – Put the Phone Down

I admit, I am guilty of it as well… You all know what I am taking about… being distracted while driving. Whether I am on a phone call, putting make up on, or trying to send a quick text because I am going to be late to my destination. My full attention isn’t on what is in front of me. It is amazing how many times we get upset at other drivers who are on the phone while driving, yes myself included. But if you stop and think about it we do the same thing. When we are behind the wheel our attention should be on the road and the people around us. Anything less of that undivided attention is causing us to be distracted.

Recent statistics show that in 2009, 20% of injury related crashes resulted in distracted driving. Of those killed, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes), and using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.

I understand that time is of the essence, but when you stop and think about it, its better to leave early, put the phone down, and pay attention rather than having a fatal crash that could end your life or possibly someone else’s life.

For more tips and other causes of distracted driving as well as a ticket dismissal or insurance reduction, learn more at www.defensivedriving.com.

Kim