Wherever you’re driving, be it home, office or on holiday, you can’t afford to be distracted. Distractions from within or outside vehicle could result in serious incidents, even fatal ones. Therefore, it’s essential you can drive free of distractions.
However, it’s easier said than done. Maybe someone calls while you’re driving, or you want to use a navigation app when travelling to an unfamiliar destination. Whatever it is, there will always be distractions.
While you can’t avoid all the distractions, you can minimise them by following some rules to ensure the safety of you, your family and other road users. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of nine tips for a distraction-free drive.
- Sort out a playlist before getting in the car
If you like to listen to music while driving, create a playlist of your favourite songs before you get in this car. This can help you avoid changing songs as you drive, temporarily distracting you from the road. You can even make a number of playlists to suit your moods or queue up your favourite podcasts for a longer drive.
Remember to not play your music too loud. Not only can this affect your hearing over time, but it can drown out important signals from other road users, like emergency vehicle sirens. Loud music can also make it difficult for you to focus on driving correctly as well, sokeep the volume down for a safer drive.
- Keep your phone in place and use Bluetooth
Despite knowing how dangerous it can be to use a mobile phone while driving — not to mention illegal — many people still do. However, being distracted by a mobile phone is one of the key reasons incidents occur on our roads.
Of course, it’s not always possible to completely ignore your phone while driving. If you need to use your phone, it must be kept in place in quality mobile phone holder. Additionally, you can make calls using a Bluetooth hands-free car kit without having to take your eyes off the road. While it’s best to not use your phone at all while driving, there are ways to use it and minimise distraction.
- Get a good night’s sleep
It might sound simple but a good night’s sleep can improve your attention to driving exponentially. Just as you may find it hard to focus on your job when you’ve not gotten enough sleep, being tired can make it harder to concentrate on the road. Do your best to make sure you are always fresh and alert when you’re behind the wheel.
- Avoid eating while driving
Like good night’s sleep, ensure that your stomach isn’t growling before you start driving. Eating while driving is not a good idea as you can easily become distracted, focusing more on your meal than the road ahead. If you’re taking a long drive, plan a time to stop and eat a filling meal to give yourself some much-needed energy and a break.
- Get ready before you get in the car
The car is for driving, it isn’t for getting ready. Avoid applying make-up, brushing your hair or teeth, or any other number of personal care routines while driving. When you aren’t completely focused on driving, you’re driving distracted and this can end extremely badly. It’s better to get yourself ready before you get in your car or once you get to your destination.
- Know your route
Know your route before starting the car. This might mean memorising a map or setting up a navigation app. Have the app read out the next direction to you as well to avoid the temptation to look at your phone and become distracted.
- Explain safe driving rules to kids and other passengers
If you’re driving with children in the car, explain basic car safety rules to them. These may include speaking quietly, keeping hands to yourself and waiting to ask you questions once you’ve arrived at the destination. Explain that you need to focus while you drive. You can also keep your kids from becoming a distraction by keeping them occupied with toys or games while you drive.
Similarly, if you are new to driving, it can be a good idea to let other passengers know what helps you drive. This could include not talking loudly and keeping music down.
- Secure loads and pets
If you’re transporting heavy items, like suitcases, make sure they are stored safely in your car. They shouldn’t move about as you drive, otherwise they may interfere with your focus.
Similarly, if you are taking pets in the car, either tie them up with a lead or have them secured in a cage. Make sure they are safe and not stressed.
- Make sure you’ve got plenty of time
When you’re driving in a rush, you may not always make the best decisions. You may be focused on how you’re running late and as a result pay less attention to the road. To avoid this scenario, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete your journey. Factor in traffic and rest stops too.
If you follow these nine tips, then you’re sure to have an almost completely distraction-free journey. Do your best to stay focused on the road and look after yours and other road users’ safety.
Erika Rhein, the contributing author and the professional blogger by profession. With years of experience, I now focus on writing blogs on varied niches. Being a research enthusiast, I like to provide my readers with the useful and informative articles on the different topics they are looking for. I aim to create a difference through my writing.
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