Distracted driving is a very real issue for modern drivers. When you take all the steps that you can in order to avoid distracted driving yourself, that helps everyone on the road to be safer. Here are some tips from Fountain City Auto Clinic to help.
Understand What Distracted Driving Is
Distracted driving is anything that takes attention from the road and the task at hand, which is driving. That could involve taking your hands off the wheel, looking anywhere but at the road and the dashboard, and even being mentally distracted. Conversations with passengers, fiddling with the radio, and even eating a meal while driving are all distractions.
Identify Your Own Distractions
What is it that distracts you when you’re behind the wheel? Lots of drivers find that they’re multitasking a lot when they’re driving. In today’s busy society, that could mean taking phone calls while driving or trying to get breakfast in on the way to work. When you narrow down your own common distractions while driving, it’s a lot easier for you to find ways to avoid them.
Practice Defensive Driving Yourself
Your best bet is to adopt defensive driving habits. That means leaving plenty of space around your own vehicle, making sure you’re using your turn signals appropriately, and avoiding speeding. When you reduce your own distractions and make an effort to drive defensively, that gives you the best chance to notice and to avoid distracted drivers on the road with you.
Take Extra Care Around Drivers You Can Tell Are Distracted
If you do spot drivers around you who are seemingly distracted, leave that driver plenty of space. Look for a way to move away from that driver, by safely changing lanes for instance, or passing them in an area that is legal to pass another driver. Keep an eye on what they’re doing until you’re safely away from them, too. You shouldn’t ever abandon your own defensive driving strategies because you’ve spotted a distracted driver, though. This is about being as safe as possible.
Keeping your car in good working order matters, too. Call Fountain City Auto Clinic in Knoxville, TN today and we can help you to stay on schedule with your car’s maintenance. If there is anything that needs extra attention, we’ll let you know exactly what’s going on and how it needs to be handled for the safest possible driving experience.