DON'T BECOME A DISTRACTED DRIVER
Have pet peeves about other drivers? You know them ... the drivers on the phone, text messaging, reaching for food, a CD or the radio?
Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver is slow to recognize a potential hazard because something inside or outside the vehicle draws the driver's attention away from the driving task.
Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.*
Keep from becoming a statistic by being alert and following these few tips:
- Give yourself more space, stay away from distracted drivers.
- Remain calm behind the wheel. Avoid emotional conversations with passengers.
- Devote your full attention to driving.
- Put away anything that is potentially distracting: mail, magazines, books etc.
- Keep alert and protect yourself by wearing your safety belt. It