Many of us have driving habits that we do all of the time without realizing that they may be quite dangerous. It is critical that when you are on the road you need to be paying attention to your driving and your surroundings. There is no shortage of distractions in our modern world. Distracted driving and bad habits are the cause of the majority of auto accidents in the United States.
You might think that chatting with your spouse on your cell phone while driving is harmless enough, but it is still a distraction that might cause an accident if you are not super careful. Suffolk Glass, your windshield replacement service in Long Island, offers you these bad habits and distractions to avoid while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Using Your Cell Phone
While you might not text or do Google searches for “sushi restaurants in Long Island”, you might still have a bad habit of talking on your cell phone while driving. If you don’t think this is dangerous, think again because it is.
It is also a major distraction if you are simply checking your phone to see who sent you a text or checking your GPS app. In fact, anytime you look at your cell phone for any reasons you are taking your eyes off where they should be; on the road. It is in your best interest to just leave the cell phone alone until you reach your destination.
Managing Your Music
We get it, it becomes a serious problem when you aren’t listening to the right tunes in your car. But taking your eyes off of the road to adjust your stereo or iPhone may have a negative consequence. If you don’t want to be surprised when you turn your stereo on and discover the person using the car before you has it on a country-western station, check your music choices before you back out of the driveway.
Driving with Fido
Tending to pets while driving is a good way to cause an accident. And if your pet is unsecured while in the car with you, they are at risk for serious injury should you wind up in an accident.
It’s tempting to let your dog hang out of the window or sit on your lap while driving, but you know it is not the right thing to do. Make sure your pet is in a carrier or in a blocked off section of the vehicle while in transport.
Eating and Drinking
We have all seen that one movie in which there was a scene showing the guy driving to work and drinking his coffee. You know, the scene in which he spills the hot coffee on his lap and almost gets in an accident.
While this was a funny scene as played out in a movie, in real life it could prove to be deadly. For this reason, you need to know you are at risk when you are eating or drinking while driving.
That is not to say you should refrain from food and beverages while driving, just don’t be engaged in a seven-course meal while driving and sip your coffee carefully while not taking your eyes off of the road.
Rubbernecking
We are human, and it is extremely tempting to get a good look at the accident on the side of the road. However, this distraction might cause an accident itself. For safety’s sake, mind your own business.
Cracked Windshield
If you drive with a cracked windshield, you are putting yourself and others in danger. Call Suffolk Glass right away and schedule an appointment to have your windshield replaced.