Driving has become an essential part of our everyday lives. There are several things we do when driving that might easily cause us to lose concentration on the road, endangering our lives. Thousands of individuals have died in traffic accidents throughout the years as a result of driving distractions. In case you were wondering, here are a few distracted driving behaviors that might endanger your life.

Making Phone Calls 

This is a distraction that can cost you your life. Despite it being illegal, many drivers are still caught up in the act every other day on highways. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hands-free call; it’s still a cognitive distraction. Mental focus is needed while you are at the wheel, so always avoid engaging in a call while driving.

Texting While Driving

If you are partaking in this activity while driving, you might as well get a blindfold because that’s essentially what you are doing. Texting takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off driving. Engaging in this practice guarantees you’ll get distracted, and a few seconds of inattention can result in catastrophic accidents.

Reaching for Items in the Car

Taking your hands off the wheel to get items in the car makes no sense, as it takes your eyes off the road. Seriously, this is dangerous and should be avoided. If you do this while driving, it indicates a lack of value for your life. To avoid doing this, always plan your trips and keep essential items within easy reach.

Dining Behind the Wheel

Holding food or drinks reduces your control over the vehicle and can spill, causing sudden distractions. We understand wanting to eat a few snacks while you’re on a long trip but never do it when behind the wheel. If you must eat or drink, you should find a safe place to park, take your meal, and continue your trip.

Engaging Social Media While Driving

Since the introduction of smartphones, the risk of road accidents has increased because many drivers are addicted to their phones. Some are either browsing the internet or immersed in social media posts. Checking social media requires visual and cognitive focus, which diverts attention from driving.

Adjusting GPS or Navigation Systems

When driving, looking at navigation systems can easily distract you. Even worse, adjusting navigation systems when you’re on the steering is almost as dangerous as texting while driving. While some of these automobile systems help you get directions, they are tools that can distract you while driving.

Driving in a Bad Mood

Avoid driving when you’re in a foul mood. It’s not going to be easy to drive your vehicle when experiencing mood swings. If you’re upset about something, you may make irrational decisions that can cost you your life. If you’re sad or feeling down about something, take the time to calm down before driving or hail a cab.

Personal Grooming in the Car

When in a hurry, some drivers do their grooming tasks while driving. This involves looking away from the road and using your hands for non-driving tasks like putting on make-up or brushing your hair. Every grooming activity should be done before or after driving, not during, as it can end up hurting a lot more than your appearance.

Having Pets in the Car Unrestrained

While having pets on your road vacations is great, letting them run free might be dangerous. Unrestrained pets might roam about and block your view or affect vehicle control. To ensure you and other road users are safe, secure your pets in a carrier or apply a pet restraint device.

Managing Children

Children can be a significant distractor while driving. For instance, looking back to warn or engage with children diverts a driver’s attention from the road. If you must talk to your children in the car, use mirrors or pull over safely to address any issues. That way, you can prevent car crashes.

Rubbernecking at Accidents

Rubbernecking happens when drivers slow down to stare at arrest or accident scenes when driving. Slowing down your car to look at accidents or incidents increases the risk of rear-end collisions. It’s terrible behavior, and you can end up losing your life. So, keep your eyes on the road and focus on driving safely past the scene. 

Listening to Loud Music

Everyone loves to jam to music in their cars, but it can distract you when it’s too loud. This activity will prevent you from hearing important sounds like car horns or emergency sirens. If you must play music while driving, keep the volume low to be mindful of your surroundings while still enjoying the drive. 

Smoking Behind the Wheel

Smoking or vaping is highly distracting, so you should never do it when driving. Lighting a cigarette or using a vape can take your hands off the wheel and distract you from driving. Not only that, the smoke from the cigarette can obstruct your view. Try to engage in this only after parking your car.

Interacting with In-Car Technology

Modern cars have many built-in distractions, such as touchscreens and voice controls, that can divert your attention. To prevent road accidents, you should limit how you use in-car technology when driving. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s tech when parked to minimize use while driving.

Drinking Alcohol While Driving

Without mentioning this, it won’t be a complete list of no-gos during driving. As fun as it may sound, even tiny amounts of alcohol or drugs can slow down your reaction times and decision-making. Never drive under the influence of any substance, as it is punishable under the law of safe driving and can even steal your life.