Never Be a Distracted Driver

Do you think that you're a careful driver? Are you the kind of driver who obeys the speed limit, and won't even risk running through a yellow light? So far, the number of your accidents and traffic incidents may be low, but you may not be as safe of a driver as you'd think. 

Distracted driving is becoming a significant problem with drivers of all ages, and it's much more than just talking on the phone or texting while driving. If you spend most of your drive thinking about the office, changing songs on your iPod, or just plain old zoning out, that is distracted driving. The issue of distracted driving is more complicated than people previously thought, and the innovations meant to fix the problem aren't helping. A recent study has shown that hands-free phones and communication systems aren't any less distracting than cell phones. Some experts even think that they cause more problems, because these devices create a false sense of security. Our auto mall at Springfield wants to see distracted driving become a problem of the past! Don't become a statistic and let yourself become distracted while you drive. Be sure to follow these tips from us at Autoland to stay safe:

Leave your worries outside the car

Are you trying to figure out how to handle a work crisis? Did you have a fight with your spouse or kids? There are excellent times to think about these problems, but none of those times should involve driving a vehicle. If you want to combat distracted driving, do your best to limit any emotional distractions before getting behind the wheel. 

Plan out your drive

A lot of people rely on GPS devices to get where they need to go these days, and driving has never been easier. It has also never been more dangerous. The more time you spend looking at your GPS and adjusting routes, that's less time your eyes have for the road. Don't just enter in an address and hop in your car when you need directions. Load up your route, and take a minute or two to read it over. Doing this can help you anticipate where you need to go, and can keep you from being surprised if something comes up.

When distracted, pull over

Is your kid calling when you're on the road? Are you hungry enough to sneak a few bites from your salad? Do you need to fix your hair or adjust your pants or shirt? It doesn't matter what you have to do. If you're behind the wheel and need to do anything other than focus on the road and operate your vehicle, please pull over and do it. A split-second's diverted attention can cause a variety of problems and, quite frankly, whatever you're doing isn't worth an accident. If you pull over when you need to do something else, you won't have to worry about risking your life (or someone else's).