On any given day, nine people are killed and another 1,000 people are injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. Although texting and driving is one of the most dangerous of distractions, there are several other distractions that drivers face each time they are behind the wheel.
In an effort to combat the prevalence of distracted driving, the National Safety Council (NSC) promotes Distracted Driving Awareness Month every April. While the organization has postponed this campaign due to the outbreak of COVID-19, there are still plenty of ways you can help prevent distracted driving as a whole and keep our roads safe.
Stay Informed
It’s important that you take the time to learn about the dangers of distracted driving and the devastation it can cause. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NCS both have plenty of resources that you can utilize to learn more about distracted driving. You can also reach out on social media to see if anyone you know has been impacted by distracted driving.
Spread the Word
Inform people in your community about the many dangers of distracted driving. You can hang posters in your workplace, school, or church to spread the word about relevant distracted driving statistics.
Take the Pledge
You can’t always prevent other people from distracted driving. But you can do your own part in reducing distracted driving by taking the NSC Just Drive pledge! You can share the pledge on social media and encourage your friends to take it, too.
Eliminate Distractions in the Car
In today’s world, drivers are tempted by distracted every which way. Before hitting the road, you can actively take the time to eliminate potential distractions by:
- Putting your phone on silent or airplane mode
- Avoid eating and drinking
- Make sure children are securing fastened in car seats or with seat belts
- Putting directions into your GPS before driving
- Making sure mirrors are in place beforehand
Set a Good Example
None of the above actions will go any good if you are not committed to distraction-free driving behaviors yourself. Instead of contributing to the problem, make an active effort to avoid distracted driving each time you get behind the wheel. It is especially important to set a good example for children in order to make a lasting change in the future.
If you or a loved one is injured in a distracted driving accident, remember that The Chopin Law Firm is here to fight for your financial recovery. With over 100 years of collective experience, our personal injury attorneys will review the details of your case and develop a personalized and strategic legal plan moving forward.
Contact our firm at (504) 475-2429 to schedule your free case review.
