When driving, keep your eyes on the road and put the distractions away until you arrive at your destination. If you have to take a phone call, use a hands-free phone, and if you have to complete a task that requires you to take your eyes off the road (such as responding to a text or email), look for a safe spot to pull over.
Driving While Drowsy
Even if you’ve put the cell phones away, set up your favorite playlist and have your hands on 10 and 2 and eyes on the road, driving while tired is very dangerous, especially on long road trips. The only cure for being tired is sleep. While coffee may provide a short-term, temporary fix, being tired can’t be fixed by opening a window, cranking up the stereo or downing large amounts of caffeine. Studies show that driving while drowsy may be as dangerous as driving while drunk. Tired drivers are slow to react, at greater risk of falling asleep at the wheel, and will be more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Dozing drivers won’t be able to take the steps necessary to avoid an accident, and at times, don’t even slow down before impact.
As you plan your summer road trip, be sure to include plenty of stops for rest or make sure there is another driver in the car who can take driving shifts, so that you’re each alert during your turns (and that means having the passenger sleep during his or her break, rather than chatting about plans or keeping you company so that you stay awake!).
Driving at Inappropriate Speeds
Speeding is one of the main causes of traffic accidents -- and driving significantly higher than the speed limit has been proven to increase your risk of being in an accident that involves fatalities. On the flip side, driving too slowly (especially on a highway where you’ll cause other cars to start jumping lanes around you to pass you), can be just as dangerous.
Appropriate driving speed isn’t always driving at the posted speed limit on the signs, however. Even if you have a four-wheel-drive SUV, when driving in snowy or icy conditions, it’s imperative that you slow down to a speed at which you feel completely in control of the vehicle, even if it means creeping along the road and being late for your morning meetings. Likewise, if you’re driving through a nasty rainstorm, visibility can be limited and can affect the ability to see vehicles ahead of you that have come to a stop.