July was National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Did you even notice? Cell phone courtesy may mean turning your phone off in a movie theater or not texting at the dinner table. Not using a cell phone while driving comes down to saving lives! This is the part of cell phone courtesy that exceeds just an inconvenience. Smartphones and how we depend on them have changed how we do just about everything and as a result they have taken over our lives.
These devices entertain us, provide directions, provide news, and help us keep in touch with family and friends. When you choose to use one behind the wheel, cell phone use is nothing more than distracted driving and studies prove that has deadly results. For some, it’s a challenge not use the phone while driving but it’s a habit that must be developed. Here’s a couple of ways to get that done.
Using The Hands-Free Option – When you get behind the wheel start by putting your phone out of sight. For some out of sight is out of mind. Yes, this is difficult because some say they use their phone for directions. To reduce this need, switch to hands-free mode. Many newer vehicles come with Bluetooth connectivity or Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These features allow you to use your phone over your car speakers. If you are using your phone’s GPS, get the information entered before you hit the road. Avoid engaging in conversations that stir up your emotions. This is another type of distracted driving.
Delegate Tasks To Your Passengers – If you’re driving with a passenger, delegate tasks to them such as looking up directions, setting up the GPS, switching music, and answering urgent text messages. Delegate before you start driving so you can pay attention to your surroundings. Something your passengers can’t handle? They will simply have to wait until you get to your destination.
Even At A Red Light – Never Text and Drive – There is no question that texting and driving is dangerous. Studies have shown that texting at a red light or when traffic is backed up is dangerous. When you text at a stoplight, you won’t notice when the light turns green, you won’t scan your mirror for oncoming traffic or scan the road in front of you for dangers. Most states have hands-free laws that make it illegal for drivers to manually send texts or hold their phone while operating a motor vehicle.
Turn Off Notifications To Avoid Using Your Phone While Driving – Some drivers simply can’t resist the urge to check their phones. Mobile phones allow you to manually turn notifications off to limit distractions. Newer versions of Apple iOS and Google Android allow you to limit notifications while driving, so you’re still reachable if a family has an emergency or if you’re expecting an important call from work. Be sure to take advantage of these advanced features to turn off notifications or only receive notifications from your most important contacts. Some insurance companies have an app you can install that responds to text messages to alert the other party you are driving and this is a great option for some.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
