Distracted driving is anything that takes you’re your eyes, hands, or attention away from the task of your CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle). Distracted driving increases your risk of getting into an accident and hurting yourself and other around you. Distraction can happen both inside your cab and outside. Some examples of distracted driving are:
- Texting
- Talking on your cell phone
- Eating
- Looking at a passing billboard, building, or person.
The best way to determine if something is a distraction is by asking yourself “is this taking my attention and eyes away from the road ahead?” You can find some tips below to help you avoid distracted driving!
Put The Phone Away:
Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distraction in your truck. It takes your eyes, hands, and mind away from the road and the task at hand. Use a Bluetooth or another handsfree device to talk to your dispatchers if you must talk on the phone while driving.
Practice Defensive Driving:
Think about everyone around you. Defensive driving revolves around you anticipating and being prepared for what other drivers might do and how the road conditions would affect the ways vehicles operate. Create a buffer around you and your truck and increase your awareness of what is happening on the road around you.
Set Up Your Tech in Advance:
Having your technology set up before you take off is essential to avoid distracted driving. Before you take off make sure your headset/Bluetooth device is connected to your phone, get your navigation device ready to guide you to where you are heading, have your radio set to a station you are ready to listen to and have your preset stations ready as well. Doing all of this before you leave will help you avoid being distracted on the road.
Don’t Let Things Outside Your Truck Distract You:
Stay focused on the road ahead of you and your truck. Avoid focusing on things outside of your truck that are not related driving like billboards, buildings, and people. Paying attention only to things that are related to you driving will keep you aware of the road and cars around.
Don’t Eat and Drive:
Eating while driving can take your eyes off the road and it will take at least one hand away from the wheel as well. Try to eat before getting behind the wheel or leave yourself time to pull over and eat.
Taking your eyes and attention away from the road can have extreme consequences. Understanding what causes it and taking precautions to avoid this behavior will help keep yourself and everyone around you safe while on the road.