Safe Driving Week

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of road accidents, yet its true impact is often understated. Many crashes involving distraction leave no concrete evidence, such as phone usage records, and in some tragic cases, no surviving witnesses. Despite this underreporting, the data we do have is alarming. Distracted driving not only puts lives at risk but can also result in hefty fines, demerit points, and increased insurance premiums. 

Tips to Stay Focused Behind The Wheel 

1. Silence the Distractions: 
   1. Set your phone to silent or Do Not Disturb mode before starting your journey. Alerts you don’t hear won’t tempt you. 
2. Leverage Technology: 
   1. Use apps or built-in features that enable Do Not Disturb while driving. Many activate automatically when your phone connects to the vehicle's Bluetooth or detects motion. 
3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: 
   1. Store your phone in a glove compartment, bag, or the back seat to remove the temptation entirely. 
4. Prepare Before You Drive: 
   1. Adjust your music, GPS, and climate controls before hitting the road. Plan enough time for meals and grooming so you're not multitasking on the go. 
5. Pull Over if Needed: 
   1. If something truly requires your attention, find a safe place to pull over and stop the vehicle before addressing it. 
6. Respect the Task: 
   1. Driving is a serious responsibility that demands your full focus. Treat it with the same caution you would when operating heavy machinery. 

Why It Matters 

Distracted driving doesn’t just endanger the person behind the wheel—it affects everyone on the road. A momentary lapse in attention can have life-changing consequences. During Safe Driving Week, let’s commit to eliminating distractions and keeping our roads safer for everyone.