Distracted driving has become an epidemic among American drivers. At any given moment, approximately 660,000 drivers are driving while using electronic devices.
“Distractions can be categorized as manual, visual and cognitive. An activity such as texting engages all three areas of distraction – taking your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind off of driving,” said Dr. Louis D’Amelio, a trauma surgeon and director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Hands-free devices and voice-to-text are not without risk. Any device that engages one of the three categories can contribute to unsafe driving. Tips to avoid distracted driving include:
Shut down
If you’re driving, turn off your mobile device and stow it for the duration of the drive.
Pull over
If a driver must take a call, pull over to a safe area first. • Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to respond to a call or text for you.
Prepare
If using a GPS device, enter your destination before you drive and review the route in advance.
Focus
Never try to multi-task when driving. Refrain from eating, drinking, grooming or any activity that takes your eyes off the road.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center is one of only 10 designated trauma centers in New Jersey. Capital Health is the regional referral center for injured patients in Mercer County and adjacent parts of Somerset, Hunterdon, Burlington, and Middlesex counties as well as nearby areas of Pennsylvania.
For more facts about distracted driving visit distraction.gov.