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4 Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving

Whitesell Collision • April 7, 2021

Whether you're cruising the open highway or navigating city traffic, driving requires focus to maintain safety. Becoming distracted while behind the wheel can lead to fender benders and the need for collision repair. Here are a few helpful tips to help you maintain focus when driving.

How to Prevent Distracted Driving

1. Use Cell Phones for Emergencies Only

Nowadays, it's natural to check social media, text messages, and emails on your phone throughout the day. While scanning your phone may seem harmless, looking down at your screen can take your eyes off the road for several seconds, making it harder to react to hazards.

Commit to only using your cell phone in emergencies. If you need to take a call or send a text, find a safe space to pull over. Keeping the phone in a pocket or the glove compartment can help you resist the temptation to check it.

2. Program GPS & Music in Advance

You may need to use a GPS when driving to a new destination or search for new songs during long road trips. However, fiddling with buttons, searching stations, and plugging in the destination address can pull your focus away from the road. By programing these features before leaving the garage or parking spot, you can start driving fully prepared.

3. Avoid Multitasking

On a workday, you may rush out the door and into the car unprepared. It may be tempting to multitask, but eating your breakfast, drinking a smoothie, or applying makeup on the road can become a serious hazard that interrupts your field of vision or makes it more difficult to check your surroundings. Try to wake up early to give yourself enough time for these morning tasks or wait until reaching the destination.

4. Save Important Conversations for Later

Keep the conversation light with friends and family while you're on the road. Important discussions, whether they be business-oriented or personal, can dominate your attention and slow your reaction time.

If you need to address a matter right away, find a safe place to pull over. Otherwise, it's best to leave the talk for a later time.

If you need collision repair, bring your vehicle to Whitesell Service Inc. in Waynesboro, VA. Since 1949, this family-owned and -operated auto shop has served drivers across the Shenandoah Valley. They'll perform fast and reliable work to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. Call (540) 943-3361 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their collision repair services.

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