6 Tips That Will Help You Stay More Focused While Driving

For most of us, driving is one of the most common yet extremely important activities in our daily lives. The importance of staying focused at all times while driving is obvious, however, it is challenging for many of us to devote all of our attention to the road. 

According to a report conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2015, distracted driving is responsible for approximately 3,500 deaths every year in the US alone. With such high numbers, it is vital that everyone takes the rights steps to ensure that they are staying focused while driving. Here are six simple tips that will help you to remain focused and reduce your risk of an accident. 

Severe weather conditions such as icy roads during winter time are dangerous for many drivers, especially as it is difficult at times to completely focus on the road. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there are more than 2,000 lives lost on the roads every winter due to the road conditions. You should always stay extra focused while driving during icy conditions, especially when there is the risk of low traction, skids, and brake problems.  Canada gets very cold in the winter and one car accident lawyer in Vancouver explained that during winter time, you should always keep your eyes on the road and practice safe driving habits such as accelerating and decelerating slowly with an extra distance between cars to increase the margin of safety. 

Having said that, not every driver practices the same cautious driving habits during bad weather conditions, and accidents tend to happen in icy conditions. Therefore, if you are involved in a road accident, you should consider getting professional help from an experienced lawyer so that the responsible party is held to account. 

Accidents often happen when you are distracted, whether by physical activities or mental distractions. Many of us tend to use our driving time to engage in conversations, but it is best to avoid having emotional or stressful conversations while you are driving. For instance, if a passenger in your car brings up a topic or starts a conversation that you have a lot to talk about, it is better to pull over to discuss it rather than being distracted by the topic. 

Even though this sounds obvious, many of us use our morning commute to eat our breakfast or do our make up as we are driving. In fact, a study found that around three in 10 surveyed drivers admitted to using body parts other than their two hands to steer when driving because they were finishing getting dressed or fixing their hair before going to school or work. Wake up thirty minutes earlier so that you have enough time to get ready before getting in your car.

We all know that drink driving is dangerous, however not many people appreciate that distracted driving can be just as dangerous. Every day, approximately 8,000 road accidents happen in the United States because of distracted driving. Before you get in your car, send any messages that need sending, and finish eating or doing other things you need to first to avoid being distracted with those activities while driving. In many countries, it is 100% illegal to use your phone in the car unless it is on hands-free mode so make sure this is set up before you start driving.

On long drives, many of us rely on caffeine to stay awake and focused. However, this is not highly recommended as it can affect your reactions and judgment. You should always get enough sleep before driving long distances and break up the journey by stopping every two or three hours to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. There are many accidents which are caused by tired drivers literally falling asleep at the wheel so make sure you stay nice and refreshed.

Whilst listening to your favorite music is a great way to make a dive more pleasurable, it can also be a major distraction, particularly if the music is too loud. Make sure that you play your tunes at a relatively low volume so that you are not distracted and so you can hear other drivers beeping. 

You should practice safe driving habits such as remaining completely focused on the road for both your own safety and others who share the road. Use these 6 tips to help you stay more focused while driving and reduce the risk of an accident.