I have three reasons why I avoid distracted driving. They are my life and my love and would never want anything to happen to them. My children are my world. When driving with my 3 girls, I feel like they watch every move I make. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance want to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. So, in addition to my three girls, here are three reasons to avoid distracted driving.
1. Put your phone out of reach. One thing that I have been doing lately is putting my phone on the charger. Then, I place the phone back in my bag before I start driving. This way, it is out of reach and there is no reason to check a text while driving.
My oldest is 10 and there is no way that I want her to think that being on the phone in the car is ok. One day she will be driving and I don’t want her to think that is acceptable.
2.Another way to model good behavior is use appropriate language when driving. I have found there are numerous times that those driving around me make inappropriate moves that make me want to say things I shouldn’t. Instead, I try to use it as a learning lesson when we get home and talk about how you always need to be alert and aware of all the drivers around you.
3. My last way to model good behavior is to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. As parents we try to multi-task all day long, but drivng is not the time that I do this. My focus on the road is of key importance.
- The Decide to Drive program aims to empower drivers and passengers to speak up about distracted driving, continue the conversation at home, work and play, and reduce distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the nearly 33,000 roadway fatalities in 2012, there were 3,328 fatalities and approximately 421,000 injuries in distracted driving-related crashes.
Orthopaedic surgeons—the specialists who put bones and limbs back together after road crashes and traumas—along with our partners, the automakers, would rather help all drivers “decide to drive” each time they get in the car and to keep bones and limbs intact. I know that this campaign has made me more cognizant of my decisions. My children know the rules and they call out anyone who doesn’t follow them.
Remember, the most advanced safety feature of any vehicle is the driver. The AAOS and the Auto Alliance urges all drivers to keep their most sophisticated safety features engaged at all times: eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Enter the Decide to Drive Catchphrase Contest here. The contest will run May 28 – June 13, 2014
- Top prize is a $1,000 Visa Gift Card (and the potential of having your idea featured prominently in a nationwide Decide to Drive campaign!); two runners-up will receive $500 Visa Gift Cards.
- Open to everyone 18+ in the US
My three savvy ladies are the reason I “Decide to Drive” each and every time I drive.
What are your reasons?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
You definitely have to focus and pay attention when driving. Great tips!
great post, there are so many distractions – kids, phone, radio. Definitely takes all I can to focus when driving especially with 5 noisy kids!
I have three reasons to avoid distractions while driving – my husband and my two daughters. We live in a world of temptation and being a good parent is paramount!
It is so true!
I have started putting my phone in a pocket in my bag & zipping it up. It’s better that way.
I see so many distracted drivers. It worries me every time I have to go anywhere with my kiddos.
I always keep my phone zipped up in my purse. There’s no good reason to check it while driving.
Great tips, these are all the same reasons why I want to avoid distracted driving, too!
I think the earlier kids learn about things from their parents the better. After all they are the number one reason why it’s so important that we don’t get distracted. Great tips and I appreciate you doing this post so much!
Great tips that I wish so many other drivers would follow. We have a law here that it is illegal to be on your phone while driving but each and everyday I see driver’s everywhere on their phone as well as all over the road or not paying attention. I just wish that cell phones had the capability of shutting off when the ignition to a vehicle is turned on. Thanks for sharing as you are doing yourself and your children a huge favor.
Roads would be a much safer place if all drove like you!
I decide to drive for my 2 grandchildren. We all need to put our phones aside and concentrate on the road when we are driving. It scares me so much to see people texting while they are driving!
I feel exactly like you. I want to be a good example, plus I care about my loved ones, and also anyone else who could be impacted from distracted driving. I also try to pay extra attention to others who may cause an accident, I’m on alert when driving. It also means no fiddling with things, make up, eating a burger… just as dangerous and can also get you a ticket etc.