The Top 5 Alternatives to Distracted Driving
When she almost hit a police cruiser in early March for distracted driving, the RCMP discovered a long record of the practice – 12 convictions to be more specific.
You might have heard about the BC woman who just lost her licence for distracted driving. Now yes, distracted driving laws have been in place in most provinces for several years, so the consequences of driving while using your mobile device are well known across Canada. Studies show that using a mobile device while driving carries roughly the same risk as driving with a .08 (legally impaired) blood alcohol level.
This driver, however, took it to a whole new level.
When she almost hit a police cruiser in early March for distracted driving, the RCMP discovered a long record of the practice – 12 convictions to be more specific.
But when she was pulled over again a week later by a different police agency – once again for distracted driving – the authorities decided to take decisive action. Her name and record were forwarded to the provincial agency in charge of regulating driving, and her licence was quickly eliminated.
The consequences of distracted driving can change a life – and the lives of others – in an instant. Here are the top 5 alternatives to keep your eyes on the road, and your right to drive intact:
1) Bluetooth
The most popular and widely known option to speak on the phone hands-free. Bluetooth devices use radio waves to connect to one another over short distances, thereby allowing you to connect to your phone via your vehicle.
2) Voice to Text Apps
Believe it or not, many drivers don’t just try to talk on the phone with their hands during their drive, but also try to write texts or emails. There are now a range of different apps available to consumers to allow them to continue to correspond with clients simply by using your voice.
3) Play Randomized Music/Listen to a Podcast
The shuffle feature is fantastic to not only keep surprised about what song is coming next, but also to ensure that you aren’t trying to operate your mobile device to find a specific tune. For longer distances, listening to podcasts – of which there are hundreds of thousands of options on every topic you can think of – also provide an interesting alternative to suffering through commercials on the radio or getting sick of your music collection.
4) Charge Your Device
If you’re running between meetings or appointments, having a phone that is on the verge of dying is always a challenge. Use the time between your destinations to plug your mobile device in and get a little juice for the road.
5) Turn Your Phone Off
This might seem impossible to some, but considering how so many of us are attached to our phones in an unhealthy way, powering off for these brief periods of time can allow one to unwind and do some thinking that doesn’t involve anticipating your next call or message.
