How to Reduce Distractions on the Road

Get Distracted While Driving? These Tips Are For You…

If you’re like us, when you drive around in Colorado, it’s hard not to notice some of the amazing scenery. The moon setting over the Flatirons, the sun rising over downtown Denver’s skyline. Deer and elk on the side of the highway, or even bighorn sheep on the side of the road in Georgetown. Who doesn’t love driving up Clear Creek Canyon, and seeing the rock walls rise on either side?

Before I go on, our assumption is that you’re not going to try to read this post while driving. If you are, turn the phone off! Here’s our list of top suggestions on how to reduce driving distractions on the road:

10 Tips For Less Distrctactions While Driving

1. Mountain Scenery

We know many of us here in Colorado are professional or amateur photographers, and it’s hard to resist capturing some of Colorado’s beauty anywhere you go. However, if I see something amazing, I know that the best course of action is to stop on the side of the road (if it’s safe!) and then take photographs.

Resist the urge to try to take a photo while driving. The photo is going to be blurry, out of focus, and altogether bad anyways. If you really need a photo, pull over at the nearest safe turn off, or have someone else in the car do it.

Realted Article: Tips for Colorado Mountain Driving

image of flatiron mountains in Boulder CO

2. Don’t Touch That Phone

Everyone has a cell phone with them now. When driving, turn on the “Driving Mode” for your smartphone. On an iPhone, there’s a setting where you phone detects if you’re connected to a car system; you can set your phone to send a notification to someone who is texting you that you’re driving and can’t respond right now.

For an iPhone:

To turn on driving mode:
1. Go to Settings –> Do Not Disturb on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down, and find the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” section.
3. Click “Activate” to turn on Do Not Disturb, manual, use, or have it detect when you’re driving.

For an Android Phone:

To turn on driving mode:
1. Go to the Message+ icon. (If you don’t see that, go to: Apps > Message+)
2. Next, click on the Menu icon (top left)
3. Click “Driving Mode” to turn on or off.
4. If prompted with a disclaimer “Driving Mode” disclaimer, click to close it.
5. Click the Menu icon again (top left)
6. Click Settings
7. Click Driving Mode

We know… it’s really tough to disconnect for even a minute. When my phone chirps that it just received a text message, it’s like a Pavlovian response. Most people feel the same way, all you can think about it who just texted, or it *must* be really important, or you need to know who just commented on your latest Instagram post.

So, tell yourself that it’s okay to not answer that text right this second. Get in the habit of not touching your phone while driving, unless you have safely pulled over, or have reached your destination.

3. Music

Most people have some sort of audio playing in the car. For music, try to set your music preferences before you drive away so you are less tempted to fiddle with your phone or stereo. If you’re just listening to the radio, that’s pretty easy. But if you’re like me and want to listen to a Podcast or certain playlist during your commute, it’s best to set that up before you leave the driveway.

4. Snow & Rain

If there’s snow on the car, brush it off the hood before you take off. Otherwise, all of the snow is going to blow right onto the windshield and other cars around you when you start driving. Nothing screams distraction like snowing flying around you and others.

Related Article: Winter Driving Tips

In the springtime we often get a good amount of rain – this one is a no brainer, make sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition and on if it is raining. Not only will you not be able to see safely without them, but all that rain hitting your windshield is going to be a big distraction.

Related Article: Rain & Wet Weather Driving Tips

5. Kids & Other Passangers

If you have kids in the car, make sure that they know that you most important task is to drive the car. And if they need something, you might not be able to look at their screen, help them out, but you’re doing this to be safe. As a parent, it’s important to set up kids with toys, books, snacks, or an electronic device, so that they can let you keep your eyes and ears on the road.

If you are driving other passengers, the same rules apply, make sure they know that you need to focus on driving so that everyone reaches their destination safely.

6. Keeping Up With Car Maintence

Listening to a strange noise? Wondering what that burning smell is? Feeling a weird new shake? If you are focused on wondering what an issue could be with your car, you aren’t focused on the road.

Keeping your car up to date with regular tune-ups, oil changes, brake services & more will not only prolong the life of your car, but help you catch any issues that may be going on before they become a safety hazard. If you are concerned about a noise, smell, rattle or otherwise, come into one of our 14 AAMCO Colorado locations for a multi-point inspection, or free seasonal safety check.

7. New or Different Car

If you’re in a different or new car, make sure you spend a couple of minutes figuring out how all of the controls work on that car.

We’ve all been in a friends car, or rental car before and realized after driving that the car has some really strange controls compared to our own cars.

Before you start out driving a new rental car, or driving a car you’ve borrowed from a friend, make sure you have a chance to figure out how to turn on the heat, turn down the radio, which button turns on the windshield wipes, and how to turn on the headlights.

Try to adjust the seat and the mirrors before you start driving, doing this while driving is a great way to crash into the car in front of you if you’re trying to adjust the lumbar support and you’re trying to figure out the controls and you’re not looking at the road.

8. Pets

It’s wonderful to have a dog in the car, head hanging out the window and tongue flapping in the wind. But they can be a big cause of distracted driving and crashes.

If you have a small dog, make sure that they don’t somehow get under your feet, and interfere with your ability to hit the gas or brake. It’s best if you can, to keep pets in the back seat. And, it’s a good idea if they love to roam around to clip them into the seat belt.

9. Eatings & Drinking

Lives are becoming increasingly busy, it’s hard not to have to eat while you are on the go. I’m sure it’s happened to you – you pick up your cup of coffee with your right hand, and the lid pops off and coffee and milk go everywhere in the car. Not much fun. Not ideal to clean out of the upholstery. So, make sure your lid is secure and tight on your cup, and your cup is safely in a cup holder before you back out of the driveway.

When it comes to eating, set yourself up for success. If you’re driving, trying to eat oatmeal out of a bowl with a spoon is not going to end well, especially if there’s a pothole or you have to brake suddenly. If you HAVE to eat in the car, choose snacks that are easy to eat like a granola bar, or find a spot to pull over safely to have your food.

10. Glare

In the spring here in Colorado, the sun shifts position. And it also rises earlier and earlier in the day. It’s easy to come around a big corner, and have the sun glaring right into your eyes. The visor is helpful for minimizing glare. But always having a decent pair of sunglasses on hand can be a big help to reduce distractions from glare while driving. We suggest having a dedicated pair of car sunglasses, so you never have to go without.

AAMCO Colorado, Helping You Stay Safe on The Road

At AAMCO Colorado we want you to get where you are going safely. Our mechanics can perform regular tune-ups and run diagnostics to keep your car in good working order and keep you safe on the road.

If you live in the Colorado Front-Range take advantage of our special offers and schedule an appointment for regular car maintenance today.

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