Eyes on the Road

April 1, 2015

Driving while distracted can have dangerous, even deadly consequences. Safe driving requires one’s full attention. Imagine driving while blindfolded for four or five seconds. That’s the average time it takes to check a text message-5 seconds or less. A vehicle traveling 60 mph will travel about the length of a football field in five seconds-now imagine driving that distance while blindfolded. There is absolutely nothing worth the risks that far too many people take while driving. There is no text, no email and certainly no social status update worth a crash and the consequences that could be associated with that crash.

The urge to read and answer an incoming text or email can actually be overwhelming. SILENCE the DISTRACTION in order to silence the urge. Put your cell phone out of reach from the driver’s seat. Do whatever it takes to stay focused on the task at hand—SAFE DRIVING.

Each of us have the RESPONSIBILITY to drive safely. That simply means give FULL ATTENTION to the task at hand. Multi-tasking and driving is something you should never do. It’s dangerous and it’s illegal. You should never engage in any activity while driving other than driving. Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving is dangerous behavior. This behavior puts your life and other motorists’ lives at risk.

If checking your email, texts or social page is something that is important to you as you go through your day, then make it equally important to pull safely off the road and take a break to catch-up.

While you CAN control what is happening in your own vehicle, you CANNOT control the other drivers on the road. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Watch for other drivers who may be driving while distracted and always make you and your passengers are wearing seat belts.