Distracted driving is one of the main causes of accidents on the road. Most of the times you hear about distracted driving, it’s associated with the use of cell phones while driving. Although using your cell phone while driving is a distraction, it isn’t the only cause of distracted driving, and in today’s post, we will discuss a few more things that can cause you to become distracted while driving.
It’s important to learn how to drive without distractions to ensure both your safety and the safety of others on the road. At Cindy Cohen School of Driving, our talented and knowledgeable instructors can help you learn the skills you need to pass your driver’s test. We offer theory courses, behind-the-wheel training and more! If you’re in need of a team of driving instructors that you can trust, contact Cindy Cohen School of Driving today!
Adjusting Music or Controls
Anything that takes your attention away from the road in front of you is considered distracted driving, and that includes music, air conditioning, GPS, and more. If you’re too hot or the music is too loud, it’s understandable that you would want to adjust one or the other to make your experience in the car more comfortable. That being said, even the smallest distractions can take your mind away from driving long enough to get into an accident.
Talking to Passengers
When you have passengers in the car, it’s natural that you’re going to talk to each other. However, passengers in your vehicle are one of the biggest causes of distracted driving. Whether you’re laughing about something that happened earlier in the day or singing at the top of your lungs to a song on the radio, your full attention isn’t on the road. That being said, you shouldn’t avoid having people in your car for fear of getting into an accident. The important thing is that you keep your attention focused on the road.
Pets
We all love bringing our pets with us on road trips and adventures, but if your pet isn’t used to riding in the car, he or she can be a big distraction. Unlike humans, pets enjoy moving around the car and looking out every window that they can find. In some cases, your pet may even try to come sit with you while you drive. As your pet moves around, you’ll probably find yourself more attuned to what he or she is doing than you are to the road.
Texting or Using Your Cell Phone
As we mentioned above, using your cell phone while driving is one of the biggest contributors to distracted driving. While many cars and cell phones have made improvements so that communication is hands-free, any type of communication or cell phone use can cause distractions. In order to avoid any sort of distraction from your phone while you’re trying to focus on the road, it’s best to put it on silent, or shut it off completely, and put it in a spot where it isn’t easily visible.
At Cindy Cohen School of Driving, we offer a variety of driving courses that will teach you how to drive safely. Our instructors will work with you one-on-one to help you perfect all the skills you need to pass your driver’s test. To learn more about the different courses we offer, contact Cindy Cohen School of Driving today!