Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving

It’s a familiar story for many: you’re running late for work and you’re forced to munch on breakfast or do your make-up on the road. Or you may be on your way to meet up with friends and need to text for directions.

It may not seem like a big deal at the time, but distracted driving is a dangerous, life-threatening practice that’s plaguing our nation’s roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. The next time you’re on the road, keep these tips in mind to avoid causing an accident.

1. Make a playlist. Even fiddling with the radio stations can be a distraction for many drivers. Before hitting the road, make a playlist on your iPod or burn a CD with songs you know you want to listen to.

2. Buy a good GPS navigator. GPS navigators are a must-have for drivers; they allow drivers to focus on the roads without having to worry about getting lost or driving into unfamiliar territory. A good GPS system will call out the names of roadways, help you avoid construction or traffic jams and assist you in navigating alternate routes.

3. Never apply makeup on the road. When you apply makeup when you’re behind the wheel, you’re completely taking your eyes and attention off the road. If you don’t have time to fully apply makeup, use quick makeup tips like those found in The 5-Minute Face by Carmindy.

4. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses. You’ll avoid being distracted by dangerous glares. You can find stylish, affordable pairs at Overstock.com or Zappos.com.

5. Take advantage of technology. If you happen to be shopping for a car, look for features that will help you limit distractions. Ford Sync, for instance, can operate some digital media players and nearly any mobile phone with voice commands, and can even receive text messages and read them aloud.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 26th, 2010 at 11:50 am and is filed under Daily. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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