6 Tips To Help You Avoid Getting Distracted While Driving

Living in the age of social media and partying, it's impossible to not get distracted while driving. Whether you're texting, checking Instagram, or taking a Snapchat, it can be difficult to keep your eyes on the road and off your phone. To help avoid becoming a statistic - here are 6 tips that can make all the difference!

1. Hands-Free System

One of the simplest ways to avoid getting distracted by your phone while driving is to invest in a car with wireless Bluetooth systems. If you currently don't have this technology, it's relatively inexpensive and easy to install. All you need is a speaker system and a microphone - both of which you can find at any electronics store for a reasonable price. If you get caught talking on the phone or holding it while driving, you can get in big trouble, especially if you cause an accident. If that does happen, you'll need to think about car accident lawyers that you can hire to guide you through the case. Another simple way to create a hands-free system to avoid distractions while driving is to wear a Bluetooth headset or earpiece. This allows you to answer your phone safely and legally so you won't get in trouble with the law either.

2. Power Off Your Phone

If you want to avoid distractions while driving, the best way is to simply power off your phone. It can be difficult especially if someone is trying to get in contact with you, but it's worth it. Driving while distracted by your phone can lead to an accident or getting a ticket and result in serious consequences down the road. If you get a phone call, let it go to voicemail and take care of it when you arrive at your destination. It's also important to note that if someone has an emergency, they know how to contact you via other means such as email or text message.

So, if you're anxious to reach your destination and you're already there, turn off your phone. There's no need to keep looking at it - especially if you can't do anything with it yet. It may take a few minutes for you to get home and the car will stay where it is until then (it won't go anywhere without you). You can always power it back on and use your phone when you arrive home.

3. Move Things In The Car That Usually Distract You

When you're ready to go home, move everything that usually distracts you in the car, such as your phone and purse. This way, you won't be tempted to look at it or rummage around looking for something because it's already there with you. Make sure to put all of these things in a central location so they will always be within your reach. If possible, put them in the glove compartment or center console. Only keep things like loose change and maybe a few other small items that don't distract you in the car with you.

Another thing that can distract you is if you have to keep looking for the CD that you want to listen to next. To avoid this, create a playlist on your MP3 or have everything pre-programmed to play each track in the order that you want them played. If your car doesn't have Bluetooth technology, invest in an FM transmitter so you can hook it up to your stereo system and make your music wireless.

4. Don't Forget The Essentials

Before heading out to drive, make sure all of your necessities are packed away properly so they don't distract you when driving either. Examples of essentials include your phone, purse or wallet, sunglasses, snacks, and water. Each person is different so it's important to figure out what these things are for you. For example, if I forget my phone in the car on the way to work one day, it makes me very anxious because I have no idea when I left it there.

It also helps to have a "to-go" bag in your car that you can put all of these things into so they are easily accessible when driving. This way, you won't have to rummage around the car looking for them - especially if your car is cluttered or messy. If you're someone who hates clutter, you can also invest in a small toolbox that's only for your car. Everything from this point on will be placed into it until you arrive at your destination.

5. Get A GPS Holder

GPS systems are great, but they can also be a distraction when driving. When you need to turn or change lanes to get to your destination, it's easy to take your eyes off the road and look at the GPS screen. It can even take up time when you're trying to place it back onto the dashboard because you might knock it off. A great solution to these problems is investing in a GPS holder that will hold your phone instead - it's the same thing! Some of them are also flexible, which means they bend or turn into more comfortable positions for you to see while driving. To save some money, go onto eBay and buy some cheap holders off of people who have upgraded to a newer touch-screen GPS.

6. Change Your Driving Route If You Notice Distractions

If you notice that there's a lot of traffic on the route that you're taking to get home from work, take a different route. It may even save you some time! Also, remember to avoid driving in intersections if there's heaps of traffic. If you're someone who needs to change your route every day to avoid distractions, it may be a good idea to invest in an actual GPS that will keep track of where you are and the best way to get there (or ask for one as a gift). It's much easier than figuring out the best possible places to go on your own.

Staying focused when you're driving is a very important thing to do. Removing distractions is crucial and can oftentimes be a matter of life and death if you do so. Following these tips, hopefully, will make it even easier for you!