Distracted driving is a serious problem. For those not aware, distracted driving includes anything that takes your attention away from operating the vehicle. It can include talking on the phone, texting, eating and drinking while behind the wheel of a car or even adjusting your GPS. There are many benefits to limiting distractions when you drive: increased safety for yourself and others on the road; less chance of getting into an accident; decreased risk of injury in case of an accident; lower insurance premiums; and more time to focus on important tasks like work or schoolwork. Below are tips to reduce distracted driving.
- Know Colorado Driving Laws
It is important to be aware of Colorado’s distracted driving laws. Colorado has a ban on text messaging for all drivers. This means that you are not allowed to send or read text messages while driving. There are also restrictions on cell phones for novice drivers, school bus drivers and commercial vehicle drivers. For a full list of Colorado’s distracted driving laws, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation website. Their site provides Colorado drivers with a Colorado Distracted Driving Law Summary Card. This card is a quick reference tool on Colorado’s distracted driving laws.
- Put Your Phone Out of Reach
Ask any Colorado Car Accident Attorney, and they’ll tell you to put the phone away. If you can’t resist the temptation to answer your phone or check your text messages, then put your phone out of reach. This may mean keeping it in the glove compartment or the backseat. If it’s not within reach, you’re less likely to be tempted to use it while driving.
- Pull Over to Answer Calls or Send Text Messages
If you need to answer a call or send a text message, pull over to the side of the road. This will allow you to safely take care of whatever needs your attention and keep you from getting into an accident.
- Let Someone Else Handle the Phone Calls and Text Messages
Let someone else handle the phone calls and text messages if you’re driving. This can include your spouse, a friend or a family member. They can take care of any important calls or messages while you’re behind the wheel.
- Wait until You’re Home or at Your Destination to Use Your Phone
If you can wait, try to avoid using your phone while you’re driving. Wait until you’re home or at your destination to take care of any phone-related tasks. This will help keep you safe and focused on the road.
- Educate Yourself and Others About Distracted Driving
The more people know about distracted driving, the less likely they will do it. Educate yourself and others about the dangers of distracted driving. Show them the statistics, tell them about your own experiences and remind them of the laws in Colorado. The more people who know about this issue, the better.
- Use a Hands-Free Device
If you must use your phone while driving, use a hands-free device. This will allow you to talk on the phone without holding it up to your ear. Various apps can be downloaded to your phone to help reduce distracted driving.
- Limit Personal Distractions
Although it isn’t as dangerous as using a cellphone, try not to do anything else while you’re behind the wheel, which could distract you from the road and cause an accident. This includes eating and drinking, putting on makeup or even talking to passengers in your car.
- Report Distracted Drivers
If you see someone using their phone while they drive, report them. Contact law enforcement immediately to let them know what’s going on to take care of the situation and keep everyone safe on the roads. Colorado Car Accident Lawyer wants everyone in Colorado to be informed about distracted driving and the laws in our state.
Now that you know about Colorado’s distracted driving laws follow these tips to help keep yourself and others safe on the road. Remember, it’s important to be aware of what you’re doing when driving and avoid anything that could take your attention away from the road.
