Photo by Norma Mortenson
Norma Mortenson from Pexels

If you drive, you probably notice unsafe driving behaviors. Maybe you're a very safe driver, but that does not mean that everyone around you obeys the laws and road rules that exist.

You may notice someone eating, drinking, or texting while driving. They might drive with one hand or turn around if the kids in the backseat distract them.

Distracted driving happens constantly, and you might notice that activity the most. Distracted driving killed 3,142 individuals in 2020, and that was during a year with fewer cars on the road. The pandemic that year meant fewer drivers and less traffic, but that's still a high fatality number.

We'll talk more about distracted driving behaviors right now. We'll mention the most common ones that you should always avoid. That way, you can keep yourself and other drivers and pedestrians safe.

Eating and Drinking

You might love drive-throughs. There's something exciting that accompanies them. You can tell the person through the intercom what you want and order after checking out the colorful, enticing pictures. When you get your food, it might smell so good that you can't resist eating a few fries before you drive off.

Even if you're very hungry and thirsty, though, you should not let that yummy food distract you. Since you must keep your eyes on the road during your drive home, you should not hunt around in the bag till you locate your chicken nuggets. Doing so means you take your focus off the other cars around you.

If one stops suddenly, you can easily hit it. If that happens, you know you'll have higher insurance premiums from then on, and you might also injure the other driver. Maybe they might sue you if you hurt them badly enough.

Children

If you have children, you probably love them. You may enjoy going places with them, like the zoo or a public park. You can live vicariously through them when you see them enjoying the world and learning all about it, just like you once did.

In the car, though, your kids can distract you. Maybe they're singing a song they love, or perhaps they're asking you incessant questions. You might appreciate their curiosity, but you should never turn around and answer them.

If you can answer while still watching the road, that's fine. If you feel a child meltdown coming on, though, you must control it without letting it distract you too much.

If you turn around and try soothing your child during a crisis moment, you might hit the car ahead if it suddenly stops. You might not see another vehicle entering your lane with its turn signal on.

You can tell your kids they should not distract you while you're driving. If they're still very young, though, that plea might not get through. As the adult, you must stay focused and not let their activities in the backseat steal your attention.

Your Smartphone

Hardly anyone does not have a smartphone anymore. Older models don't cost as much, so even most people who aren't exactly wealthy can afford an older-generation iPhone or Android.

Our phones can also do amazing things. You can use apps that find you dates, or you might utilize one that locates the nearest Baskin Robbins if you're feeling hungry. That does not mean you should use an app when you're driving, though.

You should also avoid texting while driving. It's so tempting, especially if you hear that telltale ding that lets you know someone sent you a message. What did they say? You might feel you should know instantly, and it can't wait.

Whatever the text, though, you must wait till you get somewhere safe and turn off the car before you answer or even look at it. Some newer car models even show you a text message on your vehicle's touchscreen when you receive one.

That's a little better since you can glance down at it at a red light, but even that's potentially dangerous. It's best you wait and not respond or pay your smartphone or your car's touchscreen too much attention when someone contacts you via text message. Once you've reached your destination or pulled over, you can see what they want.

Other Passengers

Maybe you have another passenger in the car with you. They might sit in the seat beside you and talk while you're driving.

That's usually fine. You can talk while driving, and that should not distract you too much, provided you can speak without glancing over very often.

If you have a casual conversation, that probably won't distract you all that much. If you and this passenger start arguing, though, that can certainly grab and hold your attention.

If you feel like you're getting upset or angry, you might ask the person whether you can continue the conversation later. They may not like that, but you're driving, and you must take control. If you get too angry and hit another vehicle, that can have serious and lasting repercussions.

Billboards and Radio Stations

You may enjoy some music while you're driving. You might have a favorite oldies station you like. You may even have satellite radio with many different stations.

You can put on the one you like and listen to it while you drive, but if a song comes on you don't enjoy, you may tune into a different station while driving. That's potentially a significant distraction. You might hit another car while figuring out what station you want.

You may also see an interesting or provocative billboard. You may glance up at it, or you might see it without turning your head if it's in your field of vision.

If you turn and look at it for too long, though, that might cause an accident. You should look using your peripheral vision, then focus ahead of you again.

If you can avoid these driving distractions, you keep yourself and other drivers around you safe.