Barnabas Health urges: do not text and drive.
Following safe driving habits can mean a happier holiday season
Texting while driving is against the law in most states, including New Jersey. Despite the known dangers, it is a growing trend and a national epidemic. Many drivers assume they can “handle” texting while driving and remain safe. However, the numbers don’t lie. Taking your eyes off the road — even for a few seconds — can cause injury or death to you or someone else. Consider this statistic: The National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million accidents per year occur due to texting and driving.
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, it is easy to become overwhelmed with a growing to-do list and difficult to resist the urge to check a task off the list by texting while stopped at a red light or traveling in slow moving traffic. Barnabas Health urges its communities to make safety a priority by putting their phones away and following these safety tips when behind the wheel:
• Put your mobile device out of sight and out of reach — in the back seat, in the glove compartment or inside a purse.
• Before starting the car, think about what calls or texts you need to send. Also, if you plan to use GPS, program it before you start driving rather than fiddling with it during the drive.
• Select someone to be the designated texter while you’re behind the wheel.
• Silence notifications so you’re not tempted to check the phone.
• Get an app to block incoming messages or send automatic responses to let friends know you’re driving.
• Practice patience. Ask yourself: Is responding to this text really worth risking the safety of yourself or others on the road?
• Lead by example: Children learn from their parents’ behavior. Be an example for your children and if you need to text or talk on the phone, pull over to a safe place.
• Make a promise: If you are a person of your word, consider signing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s pledge against distracted driving. Picturing your name on the pledge could help keep your thumbs off the phone.
• Try using a TXTNG KILLS phone guard that will prevent you from texting while driving.
For more information about keeping you and your family safe, visit the Wellness section of the Barnabas Health online Health Library: http://healthlibrary.barnabashealth.org/Library/Wellness/Safety/.