Tips to help prevent texting while driving
March 31st, 2014 by admin

Despite the myriad PSAs and laws that discourage texting while driving, it still happens. In fact, in Ontario, distracted driving led to more automobile deaths than impaired driving, according to a report from the Ontario Provincal Police. It seems that no matter what people say, there are those who will keep texting in the car because they feel they can get away with it.
So how do we stop this dangerous activity and limit automobile risk? Here are a few tips that can help:
Technology is your friend, use it – Today's cell phone manufacturers understand the dangers of distracted driving, and have made it easier to let those trying to reach you know you are busy without taking your eyes off the road. Voice controlled Siri has been a standard feature on Apple's iPhone since 2011. You can set auto responses to texts and calls that let people know you're driving, so you won't feel pressured to get back to them right away. These are just a few examples of the applications that can reduce your on-road distraction.
Keep your phone off – Do you lack the technology to reply without having to hold or look at your phone? The device at least has an off switch, so use it. Even if you don't plan to text while driving, hearing an incoming text can automatically cause you to look down and see what someone is saying to you. Turning your phone off will eliminate that risk.
Make the most of rest stops and other safe pullover zones – If you simply cannot make it to your destination without getting back to someone, pull over in areas where it's safe. Call them at this time and let them know you're driving and can't text. It's much more efficient than a text conversation that could take minutes of back and forth messaging to get your point across.