Are You a Distracted Driver?

A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study determined that in 8 of 10 crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes, a distracted driving action occurred within three seconds of the incident.
Did you know that:
- there is a 9 times increase in crash risk if you reach for a moving object?
- there is a 5 times increase in crash risk if you are driving drowsy?
- there is a 4 times increase in crash risk if you are looking at an external object?
- there is a 3 times increase in crash risk if you are reading?
- there is a 3 times increase in crash risk if you are dialing a phone?
- there is a 3 times increase in crash risk if you are applying make up?

Take the Distracted Driving Challenge and Use These Tips to Minimize Your Distracted Driving:

CHANGE YOUR WAYS and recognize the activities that distract you; such as eating, conversing on the phone, or changing a CD. Once you recognize these distractions, you can work to eliminate them.
MAKE A PLAN. Know your route in advance and make sure that you have a good understanding of your directions. Check weather and road conditions. If you are transporting children, make sure that they are all properly buckled up and that you items to keep them occupied, such as books on tape or soft toys.
MANAGE YOUR TIME so that you do not have to multi-task or drive aggressively on the road.
DON'T LET YOUR DRIVE TIME BECOME YOUR DOWN TIME. Understand that driving is not your "down time" or a time to catch up on phone calls, personal grooming, or dining.
SCAN the roadway to make sure that you are aware of others on the road at all times. Be prepared for the unpredictability of others.
CONCENTRATE on your driving. Make sure that you are not upset or tired when getting on the road. This is not the time to have a serious or emotional conversation with your passengers.
PULL OVER if you need to do something that will take your eyes and/or mind o_ of the road. Make sure that you find a safe place to pull over first.
REDUCE THE USE! Use technology sensibly.
TAKE A REFRESHER CLASS! Everyone can pick up bad habits through the years. A driver improvement class can raise your awareness and help you assess your driving behaviors.