Stay Focused: Navigating Distracted Driving Month this April

Post by Garrett Johnson, LMCIT loss control consultant

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Distracted driving killed 3,522 people in 2021, according to most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. In this post we will discuss safety concerns and provide suggestions to assist you in being more mindful while on the road.

Simple Solutions to Common Distractions

Common activities that distract us from our goal of getting from point A to point B while on the road include:

• Texting or calling on a mobile device.
• Eating.
• Looking up directions.
• Rubbernecking (craning your neck to get a better view).
• Changing radio or vehicle settings.

While these are just some of the multitudes of causes of distracted driving, there are solutions and safety precautions we can easily implement to reduce such distractions:

• Use hands-free features on your mobile device and vehicle.
• Take time to pull over and park your vehicle to eat.
• Pull over if you need to look up directions.
• Focus on the road and the area immediately around you instead of distractions or other events that may not relate to you.
• Ensure that your radio and vehicle settings are set and ready to go prior to driving.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Motor Vehicle Safety at Work webpage for more information.

Watch Safety Videos to Build Your Safe Driving Skills

To help build your toolbox regarding driving safety, contact your LMCIT loss control consultant to receive free training videos through CoastalFlix. Have a safe and wonderful spring!