Getting behind the wheel is always dangerous. However, driving is the only way that most of us can get from Point A to Point B. There are several ways to keep ourselves safe while driving. One of which seems like common sense; although, there are still several people on the roads that do not wear a seatbelt. Simply wearing a seatbelt can reduce your risk for injury by about 50%.
Not only is wearing a seatbelt extremely important, but so is safe driving in general. There are several things that you should never do while driving a vehicle to help keep yourself and others safe.
- Do not eat food while driving. You should always have both hands on the wheel while driving and eating a big hamburger or sub sandwich can put you at risk. If you must eat on the road, grab something simple like a bag of chips or fries.
- Stop texting while driving. We know you have heard this plenty of times by now, but we’re serious. Texting while driving makes a crash up to 23x more likely to occur. Put down the cellphone, it can wait.
- Don’t swerve, constantly switch lanes, or cut people off. These are all habits that put yourself and others at risk. Aggressive driving may be a habit if you live in a large city, but it is only putting more people in danger.
- Do NOT drink and drive. Ever. In 2012, 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 51 minutes. Stay off of the roads if you have been drinking. Instead, call a friend or assign somebody as the designated driver. It is always better safe than sorry.
- Never drive if you are in an extremely emotional state. If you are upset about something, you are less likely to be fully attentive while driving and this can result an accident.
- Stop trying to multi-task while driving. Many people that are on-the-go all the time are guilty of doing this. All of the little tasks you have to do can wait until you are done driving.