According to the United States Department of Labor and OSHA, the average driver makes up to 200 driving decisions for every mile on the road.

Driving decisions include such actions as speeding up or slowing down, allowing someone into your lane, changing lanes, establishing a safe distance between cars, or avoiding obstacles.

Does that number seem high to you?

That is because, for seasoned drivers, most of these actions are basically automatic. The problem which arises is that drivers can become complacent. The more familiar a drive is, the more likely we are to relax – and possibly not be as vigilant as we should be.

We often think that an accident is “the other guy’s fault”, when in reality that is often not the case. In fact, it is estimated that up to 30% of traffic accidents occur because of our own behavior – specifically, distracted driving. Here are some ways to avoid accidents that begin inside of your own car.

Causes of Distracted Driving

Texting / Checking Messages: It will come as a surprise to no one that looking at the phone while driving is a major cause of auto accidents. Whether answering a quick text, adding a photo to Facebook, or checking to see if that important email came in – our cell phones have become a distraction bonanza. It is best to put the phone away completely – in the glovebox, for instance – for the duration of your trip. Many newer cars do allow for you to hook your phone into the console for hands-free calls or navigation, but that should be the extent of its usage.
Grabbing a Bite to Eat: Having a meal while driving is also considered dangerous, for slightly different reasons. When your hand is occupied with a sandwich or hot coffee, it becomes even more difficult to quickly react to an unexpected situation. If you must eat, return your food to the console between bites, rather than keeping one hand occupied for too long.
Letting Your Emotions Get to You: Whether the children fighting in the back seat, a driver who just cut you off, or a situation at work that has you infuriated – our minds are not in the game when emotions are running high. Take a few deep breaths, react calmly and continue on your way with eyes and mindset on the road.
Driving While Exhausted: According to Florida highway statistics, driving while drowsy is as deadly as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Falling asleep at the wheel has obvious implications for you, your passengers, and any other cars on the road with you. However, just being very tired can significantly decrease reaction time, which could result in an accident which may have been avoidable otherwise. Experts recommend that you never drive at a time you would normally be asleep, and to stop and nap if necessary.
Driving Under the Influence: Little explanation is needed here. Drugs, alcohol and vehicles simply do not mix – do not attempt to get behind the wheel of a car if you have had even one drink. If you know you will be drinking, give your keys to a friend before you begin drinking, so as not to feel “brave” later in the evening and think you are fine.
The Number One Cause: You may be shocked to learn that the number one cause of accidents which originate in your car – is a bored or daydreaming driver. It seems that because driving is part of our daily routine, our mind often wanders. We can enter into a bit of a trance following usual routes and habits. This article mentioned as many as 200 decisions to be made each mile you drive, and it is the reactions to these everyday situations which suffer when our mind wanders. Simply keeping your eyes and mind on the road, no matter how routine the trip, will allow you to be the safest driver possible.

Sadly, accidents do happen no matter how careful we are. If you have been involved in a Sarasota or Tampa area auto accident and need legal assistance, call the expert attorneys of Probinsky & Cole as soon a possible. We can help you to make sure that you are protecting yourself right from the start.