Avoiding Distracted Driving While On The Road
When you’re on the road for so long as a truck driver, it can be really easy to start losing focus, not only on the road, but also on the rules that go with it. If you’re ever starting to get tired, it’s always best to pull over and get a little bit of rest.
It’s always better to arrive at your final destination safely than to try to pull many straight hours of driving while you’re barely able to stay awake. However along with driving while tired, there’s also the issue of distracted driving. This can happen to average drivers, along with owner-operators. Luckily, distracted driving is something that you can control and avoid, which can essentially prevent devastating incidents.
Many different activities can contribute to distracted driving, including the following:
- Texting
- Drinking and eating
- Reading
- Adjusting the radio
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
Preventing Distracted Driving
Among the activities listed above, using a mobile device ranks at the top for contributing to distracted driving. In order to prevent this while still being able to use your mobile device on the road, consider taking the following measures:
Mount your device. A mount makes it simple for you to use your mobile device and keeps it out of your hands. Mount it in an area that can be easily reached while you’re still buckled in and doesn’t block your view.
Use a headset or speakerphone. Get yourself a Bluetooth-style earpiece or headset that allows you to use your phone hands-free. Otherwise, make use of the speaker on your phone to give you the same freedom.
Use voice dialing. Starting a phone call can be done a lot safer if you’ve got voice-enabled dialing features on your device. Looking down at your phone can take your eyes off the road, which puts you in a dangerous situation.