Put your phone down and keep your head up.
Learn how to be safe whether you're walking, driving, or riding a bike.
Distracted Driving and Walking
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is anything that could make you lose your focus on the road. There are a lot of distractions that we deal with in a day, but Snapchat and Chalupa wraps can be dangerous when you're behind the wheel . Some common ways we distract ourselves is by:
- Taking eyes off the road
- Looking down at your phone (can distract even if you have a mount for it in your car)
- Turning your head or checking the mirrors too long
- Keeping too much stuff in the back of your car
- Taking ears off the road
- Playing the radio too loud
- Listening to music on earbuds or headphones
- Chatting with friends
- Taking hands off the wheel
- Touching your phone
- Unwrapping and eating food
- Playing with the radio and sound
- Smoking or vaping
- Taking our mind off the road
- Everything mentioned already could take your attention!
- Daydreaming (even in traffic)
- Driving while tired
- Driving while buzzed
- Driving while late and stressed
Tips to drive safer:
- Turn your phone off or use Siri
- Put your phone somewhere you can't see it or hear it
- Pull over to eat or adjust the mirror or radio
- Watch the time so you don't have to drive in a rush
- Take breaks on long drives
What is distracted walking?
Distracted walking is losing your focus when walking around cars and in hazardous places like construction sites and busy parking lots. Cell phone use is the most common and dangerous distraction to walkers, and it results in more and more accidents each year. Distracted and clumsy drivers can also create dangers for walkers with their heads down.
- Keep your phone in your pocket, especially before crossing an intersection
- Look both ways before crossing
- Take off your headphones or earbuds when you're walking near busy areas
- Walk slower at night and wear something bright to alert drivers
- Wait for cars to completely stop for you before walking in front of them
- Don't check your phone until you are out of the road or parking lot
What about distracted biking?
While important to keep in mind, forgetting to wear your helmet isn't the only mistake you can make when hopping on your bike. Much like driving or walking, losing your focus or trying to multitask while biking can be very dangerous. Bikers must follow the same rules as drivers, and unfortunately they can be just as guilty of riding while distracted. It is equally important to keep your eyes and ears on the road as it is to make possible distracted drivers aware of you.
How to ride safer:
- Keep reflective clothes and gear on and use waves and hand signals to communicate with drivers
- Leave your phone at home or leave it in a bag to avoid distraction and protect it
- Avoid riding at night when it is harder for you and drivers to see
- Always stick to the sides of the road in case of distracted drivers
- If biking with friends, stay alert and ride single-file if you must take the road