During this cold time of year, it’s reasonable to expect people to pay closer attention to the road. Ice and snow may make a normally easy drive into one that takes much longer and that requires you to pay more attention than usual.
Unfortunately, not everyone will get off their cell phones or stop getting distracted by other things inside or outside their vehicles. These people put others at risk by being distracted instead of focusing on the road.
Avoiding wintertime distractions may help prevent collisions
Winter is a time when distractions may be more common, which is why it’s important to take steps to avoid distractions at all costs.
People planning to drive have a few things they can do to prevent seasonal distractions before getting behind the wheel, such as:
- Setting up a GPS unit before starting to drive, so they can focus on the road and weather conditions
- Listening to a weather report before going out, so they can plan their route and be prepared for slowdowns and traffic delays
- Get gas for their vehicle, so they aren’t having to rush to get to a gas station
- Refill window washer fluid, so they can keep their windows clear and avoid a crash due to poor visibility or distracting streaks
- Talking to their children or passengers about the need for better focus in the winter, so they will remain quiet and calm during the ride
- Setting up a child’s car seat to help them stay warm or not overheat. For example, children should not be in puffy winter coats that interfere with the harness, since they could slip out or be unsafe in a collision
It’s possible that some drivers may become distracted due to local events, like holiday light shows, or decorations left up around a neighborhood well past the holidays. Drivers should remember that they can pull over if they have something they’d like to see so that they can look on safely instead of hindering traffic or causing an accident.
There are many wintertime distractions to avoid, but it’s possible to do so with the right planning. Drivers must focus on the road to help prevent collisions.