Distracted Driving

• Too often drivers forget that concentrating on the road and driving safely should be the number-one priority of any trip, short or long.
  
  
• Distractions like food, phones, and stereo settings can prevent travelers from reaching their destination by resulting in speeding, red light and stop sign running, and collisions that may cause injury or death.
  
  
• Approximately one million crashes annually are caused by driver inattention, representing one sixth of all crashes. ¹

What you can do:

• Let your passengers adjust the stereo settings. If you are alone, adjust them while you are parked or at a complete stop.
  
  
• Pull over when using your cell phone. Any use of the phone is a distraction to your driving.
  
  
• If you must use your phone while driving, use a hands-free phone or get to know your current phone so you are familiar with its redial and auto call options, or dial when at a complete stop.
  
  
• Position your phone so that it is within reach.
  
  
• Suspend your calls under stressful conditions. If you come to a hazardous area that may require more concentration, hold off on the call until the situation is cleared up.

References:

1. National Sleep Foundation. Retrieved on July 8, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.sleepfoundation.org

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