Eighty percent of accidents involve some sort of the distracted driving. Distracted driving is a serious, life-threatening practice. Many accidents are caused by actions as simple as tuning the radio or as innocent as glancing at a dog on the sidewalk. Carelessness or inattention – even for a second – causes more accidents than anything else.

Using a cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting into a crash by 400 percent. A “hands-free” apparatus is helpful, but they can’t prevent you from becoming involved in a conversation and losing concentration.

Have you been a distracted driver? When driving, do you ever…?

• Tune the radio
• Eat, drink, or smoke
• Pick something up from the floor or between the seats
• Read, write
• Reach for the glove compartment
• Talk on the cell phone
• Clean the inside of the windshield
• Argue with another passenger
• Comb or brush your hair
• Break up fights between your kids
• Put on makeup
• Put on contact lenses or use eye drops
• Shave
• File, clip, or polish your nails?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you are driving while distracted and are at risk of an accident. Drivers inadvertently sometimes focus their attention away from the roadway, thus putting themselves and their families/passengers in jeopardy.

How to Avoid Being Distracted – Stay focused and pay attention!

• Limit interaction with passengers.
• Avoid taking your eyes off the road.
• Keep both hands on the wheel.
• Don’t drive when angry or upset – emotions can interfere with safe driving. Wait until you have cooled down or resolved problems to drive.
• Avoid “gawking,” or slowing down to look at a crash or other activity.
• If you need to use your cell phone while driving: Pull off the road and stop in a safe place before using your phone.

Additional info can be found here:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

http://www.distraction.gov/

http://ut.zerofatalities.com/#texting