5 Ways You Can Prevent Distracted Driving

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Distracted driving is a growing problem in Michigan. Teens and adults admit to driving while texting, emailing, eating, drinking, and even sleeping. Here are 5 things you can do to keep distracted driving from ruining your life.

  1. Turn Your Phone Off or Put It Away
    The most obvious thing you can do is avoid distractions yourself while behind the wheel. Turn your phone off or put it out of reach so you won’t be tempted to respond to email, text messages, or social media notifications on the road.
  2. Turn on Driver Mode
    Newer phones are equipped with a “Driver Mode” which may turn off certain apps and make others features easier to use with just a glance. If your phone has a “Driver Mode” you can still use your GPS without running the risk of distracted driving.
  3. Use a Hands-free Device or Bluetooth Integration
    It doesn’t take long for a distraction to result in a serious injury accident. Even the time it takes to answer a call could be enough to cause a crash. Use a hands-free headset or your car’s Bluetooth integration to allow you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
  4. Take Breaks or Naps to Avoid Drowsy Driving
    Not all distractions come from your phone. Sometimes a bad night’s sleep can be enough to put you and the motorists near you in danger. Dozing off behind the wheel is a particularly dangerous form of distracted driving. At the first sign of drowsiness, take a break. Even a 10 minute nap can be enough to sharpen your focus and keep you awake on the road.
  5. Volunteer to Be the Designated Texter
    There is almost no excuse for distracted driving when there are passengers in the car. If you see a driver reaching for his or her phone, speak up. Volunteer to be the designated texter. Offer to read the texts or messages aloud and type responses so your driver can keep his or her eyes on the road.

Take the Pledge Against Distracted Driving


Distracted driving injures thousands of people across the country every year. And that number is only going up as cell phones become more a part of our daily lives. Do your part to fight back. Take the pledge against distracted driving. By committing to using safe driving practices and spreading the word, you could help save your loved ones’ lives.

At Christensen Law, we understand the dangers behind distracted driving. We have seen the damage done to our clients by a driver who couldn’t ignore a text message or fell asleep behind the wheel. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, contact Christensen Law today for a free consultation.