Don't Drive Distracted

9 Simple tips to driving without distractions. Some may seem like common sense, but believe it or not there are drivers out there doing about anything you can imagine other than paying attention to their driving.

*Pull Off the Road - Don’t drive while calling or texting; pull off the road to a safe location. This is the simplest, safest and most unused safety technique.
*Use Speed Dialing - Program frequently called numbers and your local emergency number into the speed dial feature of your phone for easy, one-touch dialing. when available, use auto answer or voice-activated dialing.
*Never Dial While Driving - If you must dial manually, do so only when stopped. Pull off the road, or better yet, have a passenger dial for you.
*Take a Message - Let your voice mail pick up your calls in tricky driving situations. It's easy—and safer—to retrieve your messages later on.
*Know When to Stop Talking - Keep conversations on the phone and in the car brief so you can concentrate on your driving. if a long discussion is required, if the topic is stressful or emotional, or if driving becomes hazardous, end your conversation and continue it once you are off the road.
*Keep the Phone in Its Holder - Make sure your phone is securely in its holder when you are not using it so it does not pop out and distract you when you are driving.
*Don't Take Notes While Driving - If you need to write something down, use a tape recorder or pull off the road. Most smart phones have a record function these days to take memos.
*Don't Eat or Drink While Driving - Spills, both hot and cold, can easily cause an accident. If you have to stop short, you could also be severely burned. Take the time to stop, eat and enjoy your meal.
*Groom Yourself At Home - Shaving, putting on makeup, combing your hair or other forms of preening are distractions and should be done at home, not while driving. Seems pretty obvious, but I see this one daily on my commute. Vanity mirror down while applying makeup is the most common.

Most importantly, be aware of those around you. You may think you are saving time while making that phone call while in the car, but if it results in a distraction that causes an accident it really doesn't save anyone any time.

Source: iii.org