(TacticalNews.com) – The invention of the car has greatly impacted the way we live today. We’ve come a long way in safety features, but the more technology has developed, the easier it’s also become for drivers to get distracted while driving. While behind the wheel, you need all of your attention and focus on the road, your vehicle and your surroundings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) indicate that there are three main types of distractions people face while operating a vehicle. The first is visual distractions that take a person’s eyes off of the road. The second is cognitive distraction, which can keep you from actively thinking about surrounding vehicles and any obstacles ahead. The third and final distraction is manual, or when you take your hands off the steering wheel.
One of the worst distractions for drivers in recent years is cell phones.
The CDC estimates that nearly 400,000 people suffered injuries as a result of distracted driving in 2018, and at least 2,800 people died. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can drive defensively and save lives.
First and foremost, you need to keep a heightened level of situational awareness to avoid any potential hazards that may present themselves while you’re driving. Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you to allow for ample reaction and stopping time.
Also, remember to watch your mirrors. You never know when someone around you isn’t paying attention, so you need to be alert and aware of their actions as well as your own. It may be tempting to check your phone or send messages while at a stoplight, but this is when you’re most at risk of being rear-ended.
Driving is so common in today’s world that we often don’t realize just how dangerous it can be. Even something as simple as a tire blowing out can be fatal. Defensive driving saves lives because it keeps people focused on their surroundings while driving, rather than being distracted, it only takes a second to make a life-altering mistake.
Did you know distracted driving was such a major problem in America? Have you ever had a close call due to a distracted driver? Reply to your email and share your thoughts, we would love to hear from you!
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