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?
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:
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