How to Avoid Distraction While Driving with Your Phone

Avoid Distraction While Driving – Put Away that Cellphone

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 660,000 people use a cellphone or other electronic device each year while driving. In 2017, over 3,000 people died in accidents caused by drivers who did not avoid distraction while driving. While there could be a legitimate need to use a phone to get directions or make an emergency call, it is rarely a good idea to use it while a car is moving.

Put Your Phone in the Back Seat to Avoid Distraction While Driving

One of the easiest ways to avoid using your phone is to put it where you can’t see or reach it. Ideally, you will put it in the rear seat where it won’t be easily accessible while you’re going to work, school or a doctor’s appointment. Furthermore, putting your phone in the back seat reduces the chances that you’ll simply walk away from your vehicle after parking it. Therefore, you could reduce the chances that you forget to leave a window down for your dog or forget to take the baby with you into the grocery store or doctor’s office.

Put Your Phone in a Holder

Using a cellphone holder means that your phone will stay in one place for the duration of a trip. If you are using your phone’s navigation system, you will want to put the device where you can see it without having to glance away from the road. Putting your phone or tablet in a secure location also means that it is less likely that it will fall underneath the brake pedal.

If that happens, it may be difficult or impossible to slow down or come to a stop safely. In the event that you are involved in an accident involving a distracted driver, personal injury lawyers may be able to help you obtain compensation or other relief.

Use a Head-Up Display

Newer vehicles may come with a head-up display that allows you to access apps or get directions without glancing away from the road. It will also help you keep track of your speed, how much gas is in the tank and if your tires are properly inflated. Even if your vehicle doesn’t have this particular technology, it will likely have a system that allows you to access a playlist or make a phone call with your voice.

Use a Signal-Jamming App

Most major mobile phone network providers allow you to block incoming texts or phone calls while your vehicle is in motion. Therefore, you will feel less compelled to look at your phone to see if your crush has texted you or your friends have responded to your message in the group chat. You can also put your phone in airplane mode if you don’t want to receive messages while driving.

Use a Flip Phone in Your Vehicle

You’re less likely to want to use your phone if it can’t access the internet and doesn’t have predictive typing technology. If you can’t resist using your phone while driving, bring a flip phone for use when driving to work or school each day. Doing so will help you focus more on the road and less on what your friends or social media contacts are doing. Leaving your smartphone at home may also help you focus more during the day.

Ask a Passenger to Hold Your Phone to Avoid Distraction While Driving

If you don’t think that you can avoid looking at your phone while driving, ask a passenger to put it in his or her purse or pocket. In the event that you do get an important text message or social media alert, this person can read it out loud or indicate that you need to pull over.

If you are involved in an accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at RAM Law today. Feel free to call us at our New Brunswick office by dialing (732) 247-3600. The phone number for our Somerville office is (908) 448-2560.