When driving on Washington roadways, you constantly spot distracted drivers. Whether texting, eating, applying makeup or turning to talk to the person in the passenger seat, many drivers unfortunately do not keep their complete focus on the road. Distracted driving has the potential to cause nuisance fender-benders on one end of the spectrum and the potential for catastrophic consequences on the other end.
According to The New York Times, following the 2-second rule when you are driving could be the difference between life and death, since distracted driving was connected to 9 percent of all traffic deaths in the United States in 2016. This rule basically states that you should not take your eyes off the road at any time for longer than two seconds at once. In fact, if for any reason you do remove your line of vision from the road for more than just a couple of seconds, statistics show that the odds of you getting into a car crash double.
Keeping your eyes on the road at all times is just one way to follow good road safety. Other rules that you should follow to avoid distracted driving are:
- Do not eat or drink while driving
- Pull off the roadway to prevent nodding off should you become drowsy
- Avoid making cellphone calls, even when using a hands-free device
- Refrain from doing your hair or applying makeup while driving
- Prepare for the ride by restraining loose objects, setting up your GPS, and making adjustments to your seats and mirrors before you start driving
This information is provided solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
