Drivers young and old can be guilty of squeezing in some phone time while driving. Whether that is catching up with a loved one while stuck in traffic or trying to plug directions into your phone after missing an exit.
However, within five seconds of travelling at a rate of 55 miles an hour, you can cover the length of an entire football field. So, if you looked down at your phone for a few moments, you can pass several cars, pedestrians or other hazards on the road without ever realizing because you aren’t focusing. As a result of driving blindly, you may end up in an accident. Instead of risking it all to use your phone, you can try putting it away.
Specifically, here are four ways you can drive without the distraction of your phone:
- Put it in the trunk
If you know that it’s very difficult for you to put it down, then the best thing you can do is keep it well out of reach. Meaning you should do more than keeping it in the glove compartment next you. Rather, keeping your phone in the trunk might be the only way to stop you from picking it up mid-drive.
- Lock your texts
When you use your phone as a GPS tool or to stream music, then you might not want to bury it in your trunk. Instead, you can download an app to prevent you from texting while driving. You can even use monitoring apps to help prevent your children or loved ones from trying to use their phone to socialize while driving.
- Go hands-free
Even hands-free or Bluetooth technology can be distracting if you pay too much mind to it. But when you make a call or use voice-to-text, then you can keep both hands on the wheel. Which can allow you to have better control over steering if you ever do have to veer away from a car to prevent a collision.
- Queue up maps and music
Taking a little time to plan your drive can go a long way. For example, programming your directions into your GPS or creating a playlist ahead of your drive can help you make it to the correct address in a safe manner.
Essentially, you don’t have to compromise using your phone as a tool while driving. But if you find yourself making slight exceptions or regularly texting behind the wheel, then it’s important to consider the worst-case scenario and try and change up your habits.
