One of the main reasons for accidents on the road is driving while distracted. Cell phones, food and drink, and other passengers, can all cause you to take your eyes off our Maryland roads and lose your focus. Today, let's have a look at some of the best ways you can avoid distracted driving in and around your local Silver Spring, MD area. 1. Stop When You are Hungry or Tired Sometimes, driving for long periods at a time is unavoidable; but you should always take the time for short breaks to rest, stretch your legs, and have a snack. Fatigue can be a big distraction, and it can stop you from effectively multitasking, for example when you need to use your navigation system while driving. Generally, experts recommend that you take a 15-minute break every 2 hours in order to remain alert while you drive. more At that time, you should also have a drink and a snack because you can avoid eating and driving at the same time that way. Although an estimated 35% of drivers sometimes eat while driving, this can be very dangerous because you're not only taking your eyes from the road, but you're also removing your hands from the steering wheel. 2. Encourage Your Passengers to Help Aside from common distractions such as cell phones and make-up, many drivers also report that their passengers have caused them to take their eyes off the road in the past. If you're transporting babies or toddlers, this might be unavoidable, but adults and older children can be encouraged to help you retain your focus. For example, you could tell them to stop distracting you and help you by looking out at the road instead. 3. Allow Enough Time With work, family, and other daily tasks, many of us don't have a lot of time to spare. Despite this, do everything you can to avoid driving in a rush. Not only can this cause you to lose your focus because you're worried about being late, but it can also make you drive faster than you usually would. In addition to this, it's crucial that you don't try to complete other tasks while you drive to work. It's best to give yourself enough time for everything before you leave the house. The same goes for answering calls or text messages. While you're driving, the only thing you should be thinking of is the road and potential hazards you might encounter. Remember These Tips and Get Your Car Serviced in Silver Spring Routinely Driving while distracted by other tasks or people can be very dangerous, and it is one of the leading causes of accidents. For this reason, you should always stop when you notice you're hungry and tired, encourage your passengers not to distract you, and allow enough time for your trips. Find out more about safe driving techniques and how to prepare for car emergencies at our Silver Spring car dealership. Keep these tips in mind, but also remember your regular car maintenance. Get in touch with us at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to schedule a maintenance appointment.
