What Are the Most Common Driving Distractions?

Driving is part of everyday life for most of us, and it comes with real risks. Many crashes could be prevented if drivers simply kept their focus on the road.

Distracted driving has become a bigger problem as technology grows. Years ago, the biggest distractions were changing the radio, eating or keeping the kids from fighting in the back seat. Now we also have GPS screens, Bluetooth and a long list of apps, which makes it easy to get lost in a screen while you drive. So what are the most common distractions?

Is your cell phone the biggest distraction?

It's the most obvious one. Most of us don't leave home without our wallet, keys and phone. But no matter how useful your phone is, using it in the car takes your attention off the road.

Texting while driving is a big risk, but it's not the only one. Just glancing at a call or notification can be enough to drift out of your lane, miss a turn or cause a fender bender in heavy traffic.

How to prevent it:

• Turn on Do Not Disturb or your phone's driving mode before you start the car.
• Let only urgent calls or a few people you choose come through.
• If you have to use your phone, pull over somewhere safe first.

Can your car's dashboard screen distract you?

Yes. GPS mistakes, like wrong addresses or confusing directions, can pull your eyes off the road at the worst moment. Set your route before you start driving.

The radio counts too. The few seconds it takes to change the station or pick a song can be the moment you needed to hit the brakes. What you're listening to can also affect you. A stressful news story or heated talk show can stir up emotions that make it harder to focus.

Is it dangerous to eat while driving?

Eating behind the wheel is one of the riskiest habits on this list. You only have one hand on the wheel, your eyes leave the road with every bite, and trying to clean up a spill pulls your focus even more.

If you pick up fast food, the safest move is to eat in the parking lot or wait until you get where you're going. That burger or taco will still be good in a few minutes.

Can car safety technology help?

Technology competes for our attention, but it also helps cut down on human error. Many newer cars have features like automatic emergency braking and lane assist that can help prevent crashes. Good habits behind the wheel, paired with these tools, are the best way to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

How A-MAX can help

If an accident does happen, the right coverage makes a big difference. Walk into one of our 240+ offices in Texas, California and Arizona, or call 1-800-921-AMAX to review your auto coverage.