Distracted driving can significantly increase your risk of getting into an accident while traveling on a Minnesota road. However, there are many steps that you can take to avoid distractions while driving to work, school or a doctor’s appointment.
Put your cellphone down
Ideally, your cellphone will only be out if you are using it to get directions or play audio. Otherwise, it should stay as far away from you as possible while your car is moving. Keeping your phone out of reach while it’s not in use will prevent you from splitting your focus between road conditions and checking your social media feeds. It’s important to note that using a smartphone can increase your risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident even if it’s connected to a hands-free system.
Keep the number of passengers to a minimum
Passengers can be loud, restrict your view or take other actions that might take your focus away from the road. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to drive to work, school or an event on your own. If you can’t avoid having people ride with you to a given destination, make sure to establish ground rules before they get in the car. This may be especially important if the passengers in your vehicle are children who might not necessarily understand how distracting they can be.
Plan your route ahead of time
It can be easier to focus on road conditions when you’re familiar with the roads that you are driving on. Furthermore, planning your route ahead of time makes it easier to safely navigate construction zones, detours or rush hour traffic.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver, it may be possible to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney might help you obtain a favorable settlement outside of court that includes money to pay medical bills or recoup lost wages.