Not texting is a start, but there's more to safe driving.

Here's the bad news: Distracted driving causes thousands of accidents every year, many of them fatal. The good news? If you're driving, it's 100% preventable.

You've seen them around town, you may know a few of them and you might even be one yourself.

Distracted drivers come in all shapes and sizes, all makes and models. Even if you aren't one today, you could become one at any moment - in the time it takes you to answer your phone, or check the kids in the back seat.

BUT before you say, "I can talk on my phone and drive just fine," think about this: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2016 nearly 400,000 people were injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers-and in 2015, more than 3400 were killed.

It's not just about you being on your phone.

What can be distracting?

• Eating or drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming (yes, people apply makeup going down the road)
• Reading, including maps
• Changing radio stations

Younger drivers are the most distracted of all according to the NHTSA, teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

Let's do better. Here are a few tips:

• Don't use the phone: This includes texting as well as talking unless it's an emergency.
• Eat before you leave, or after you get there: Scarfing down that burger or making waffles in the front seat means your focus is divided and you probably don't have as much control over your car as you should.
• Know where you are going: Yes, google maps up on your screen in your car is convenient but having some idea of where you are going, puts more attention back on the road!
  
• Talk to your family about safe driving: Talk to your young drivers about their phones and other things that can be a distraction, such as their passengers. This doesn't just go for young drivers, adults we need to start putting more attention on the road.
  
• Watch for other distracted drivers: Just because you aren't distracted doesn't mean that other drivers are focused on safe driving.

Distracted driving isn't just "one of those things" that happens, like a tire blowout. It's 100% preventable. Let's do better, not only to keep ourselves safe but to make the road safer for everyone.

Let's do better.

By Whitney Guiltner