Focus-Up; Delete Driving Distractions

We have all seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but when you are the one distracted, you often don’t realize that driver is YOU.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month –now more than ever it is crucial to #JustDrive and eliminate all distractions that might lead to a crash that lands you or others in the E.R.

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds and at 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts your attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to other passengers, and anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Top 10 Driving Distractions

1. Generally distracted or “lost in thought”
2. Cell phone use
3. Outside person, object or event
4. Other occupants
5. Using a device brought into the car
6. Eating or drinking
7. Adjusting audio or climate controls
8. Using devices or controls to operate the vehicle
9. Moving objects
10. Smoking-related

Most people think that hands-free devices and in-dash infotainment systems are safe because they are provided by vehicle manufacturers, but research shows that these technologies lead to cognitive distraction and inattention blindness.

Make no mistake multitasking technology is about convenience, not safety.

Delete Distractions

• Turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive
• Adjust your seat, mirrors, climate control, GPS, radio/music playback and click-in your seatbelt before shifting into drive or reverse
• Talk with young drivers about responsible driving and be a good role model
• Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving—offer to make the call for the driver, so his or her full attention stays on the driving task
• Always wear your seat belt, the best defense against unsafe drivers

Be a focused driver and contact us at 401-846-9629 for a free auto policy review.
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