Distracted driving has risen to the top in causes of crashes over the last decade. One of the reasons for this is the prevalent use of cell phones while driving. There are, however, other means by which you may become distracted behind the wheel.
There is more to driving distracted than answering text messages and looking at social media. Learn more about some of the most common reasons drivers find themselves distracted behind the wheel.
Do you take your meals on the go?
During a busy day, grabbing a bite to eat on the road or taking your breakfast in the car seems like a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Eating while driving is one of the top causes of distraction. Taking your eyes off the road to find a piece of food that has fallen into your lap or splashing hot coffee on your chin may serve as the means to a disastrous distracted end.
Do you use hands-free options to talk?
Holding a cell phone to your ear is detrimental for a few reasons. However, the hands-free option is not always better. Holding a conversation on the phone can cause you to concentrate more on what you say versus what you do. Think about how often you have lost yourself in a conversation and driven past your intended destination. Your brain cannot always multi-task successfully, and paying attention to the discussion may divert power from the road.
Everyday habits behind the wheel may become as dangerous as scrolling your phone. Try and get into the habit of focusing on only without any distractions to keep yourself and others around you safe.