Planning an exciting road trip? We covered a few exciting road trips in Ohio a while ago. Want to stay safe during the whole adventure? Read this…

One of the largest distracted driving problems continues to be drivers using a cell phone behind the wheel. The use of cell phones has caused numerous car accidents, and has even changed the possible fault in some rear-end collisions. 

Using your phone while you’re on the road can cause a collision because it distracts you from being able to pay attention to traffic, signage, and other cars on the road.

Here are some of the tips on how to stay safe on the road.

Pay Attention

We know you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: the most important thing you can do while driving is to pay attention.

You may be thinking, “Wait, what? Isn’t that obvious?” Well, yes! But it’s also really easy to get distracted when you’re driving. And distractions are deadly—they can cause accidents and injuries, and even cost lives. Here are some of the ways you can stay safe on the road:

  • Don’t text and drive.
  • Don’t talk on your phone unless you have a hands-free device. (Or at least pull over!)
  • Try not to get too caught up in conversations with other passengers in the car—it’s okay if they’re talking while you drive; just try not to join in until you’ve parked or pulled over somewhere safe.
  • If possible, make sure someone else drives when you’re tired or distracted by other things in life. If you have to drive yourself when tired or distracted, try taking a nap first so that you can stay alert while driving.

Watch this video to learn more about the key things to prepare for a road trip:

 

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

You should always keep your eyes on the road if you’re driving. There’s nothing more important than staying safe while driving—and that means keeping your eyes on the road at all times.

The best way to avoid distracted driving is to refrain from using any technology that requires you to look away from the road for any period. That includes cell phones, laptops and tablets, GPS devices, or other similar devices.

When you take your eyes off the road for a few seconds, you can miss something important, like a stop sign or an accident. Still, if this happens, you must know who can legally help you, like a Car Accident Lawyer – for the case you’re on a cool road trip in Lawrenceville, Gerogie. You can easily find a good lawyer when you navigate your online sources. So, always remember not to look away from the road when changing gears or turning corners because those actions require quick reactions to avoid accidents.

Eat and Drink Before or After You Drive

We all need to eat and drink, but it’s easy to forget that you’re not invincible. It’s not just about the food and drinks themselves but also about how you prepare for and react after eating or drinking. 

If you get distracted by your food or drink while driving, you could end up in a car accident—and that’s a risk you don’t want to take.

There are two main things to keep in mind when it comes to what you do before or after driving:

  • Make sure that whoever is driving is fully hydrated before getting behind the wheel
  • If possible, pull over before eating or drinking so as not to be distracted by your meal while driving

Always Pull Over if You Have to Do Something

Distracted driving is dangerous, and it can cause deadly accidents. Over 3,000 peope die from distracted driving accidents every year. If you’re in the driver’s seat, you should always pull over to do anything that requires your attention. 

If you need to send a text message or answer a call, pull over to do so. If you need to check directions or change the music on your phone, park somewhere safe and do it there.

This will reduce the risk of an accident by keeping both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. It also allows for better concentration when you’re trying to navigate through traffic or maneuver around other cars.

Make sure that all passengers are wearing their seat belts at all times as well. This helps protect them if there’s a collision, but it also keeps them from distracting the driver with any unexpected movements in the back seat.

Remember that distracted driving can lead to the following:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • Drifting into other lanes
  • Speeding
  • Forgetting what side of the road you’re on.

So, pulling over when you have to do something is very important.

Final Thoughts

Distracted driving is a huge problem in the world today. It has already led to thousands of deaths and injuries, despite laws banning it. Although many people believe they can multi-task, studies have shown that people perform worse when they attempt to do two things at the same time. 

The best thing you can do is to limit your distractions before you get behind the wheel and stay focused on the road.

If you’re traveling without a car and prefer once in a while to be pampered – check out our post about why booking a Limo is sometimes worth it.