Avoid distracted driving to avoid fatal accidents

Distracted driving has become a plague on American society. Just as it seemed we were making progress on reducing the rate of drunk driving and getting drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts – and thereby beginning a decline in the rate of deadly accidents on the roads – along came “smartphones” and the world of distraction those devices present. Our readers in North Carolina can no doubt detect the telltale signs that a person is on their cellphone while driving: a quick jerk to stay within their lane; seeing the driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror, looking down at their cellphone instead of at the road; and, of course, those drivers who just blatantly hold their cellphones up right in front of their faces while driving.

Distracted driving is, according to some reports, causing the rate of deadly accidents in America to begin to see an uptick after years of declining. Avoiding distracted driving is crucial if Americans everywhere, including in North Carolina, want to do their best to avoid fatal accidents.

A recent article noted that putting the cellphone away while driving is the most important way to avoid distracted driving. Another tip is for drivers of all ages to understand that, when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle, they need to focus completely on the task of driving. The slightest distraction can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Beyond cellphone use, drivers also need to avoid other distractions, such as eating, putting on make-up or even engaging in conversation with other people in the vehicle. Taking your eyes off of the road for even a few seconds could lead to a fatal accident that could result in catastrophic injuries or even worse.