April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

In observance of the National Safety Council’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month, our RiskWise team has prepared a few tips to help you and your team stay safe on the road.

The Dangers of Multi-Tasking At The Wheel

While there may be little you can do to control another person’s driving, there is plenty you can do to reduce your own driver distractions.  To minimize your risks while driving, avoid:

• Talking on a cell phone or to other passengers
• Touching up makeup or hair in the rearview mirror
• Tending to smoking materials  
• Adjusting the radio
• Allowing your dog to sit on your lap
• Eating
• Reading directions or a map

Be a Defensive Driver

• Defensive driving means driving so as to prevent accidents in spite of the actions of others or the presence of adverse driving conditions. 

• The object of defensive driving is to drive without having a preventable accident. 

• Defensive driving requires the knowledge and strict observance of all traffic rules and regulations applicable to the area in which the vehicle is being operated. 
• Defensive driving requires an attitude of confidence that you can drive without ever having a preventable accident. Basically, you must follow three basic steps. 

See the hazard—when driving, think about what is going to happen or what might happen as far ahead of encountering a situation as possible. You should never assume everything will be “all right.” 

Understand the defense—specific situations require specific ways of handling. Become familiar with the unusual conditions which you may face and learn them well so that you can apply them when the need arises. 

Act in time—once you’ve noted a hazard and understand the defense against it, act! Never take a “wait and see” attitude.