Talking on your cell phone or texting while you’re behind the wheel
doesn’t just drive other motorists to distraction. The National Safety
Council reports that 1.6 million crashes a year are now caused by cell
phone usage, and one out of four driving accidents in the United States
are caused by texting while driving.
But improper cell phone usage isn’t the only major distraction that
leads to frequent traffic accidents. The Floow, a telematics-based
provider of smarter and safer mobility solutions, has studied billions
of journey miles to identify a number of key behaviors that have a
significant impact on driver safety.
Since the U.S. Department of Transportation has declared April as
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, here are seven tips from
The Floow to help promote safe driving practices.
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Put your cell phone out of arm’s reach. If you can’t grab it
while you’re driving, you’ll get in the habit of waiting to answer
your phone when it’s safe. -
If you must talk, do it hands-free. Some cities and states have
banned texting while driving altogether. Either way, a hands-free
Bluetooth device is the safer way to go. -
Secure your mobile device. Put your cell phone in the glove
compartment or some other place where it’s securely stowed. The
Floow’s crash testing shows that a free-flying mobile device can cause
further damage or injury during a collision. -
Pick a safe time to travel. Studies indicate that you are
statistically more likely to have an accident between 11 p.m. and 7
a.m. than at any other time of day. Planning ahead and choosing a
responsible travel time will minimize risk. -
Take regular breaks during long journeys. The longer you drive,
the harder it is to stay alert. During a longer trip, take a quick
refresher break every two hours. -
Consider the speed limit as a guide, not a target. All driving
conditions aren’t equal. When the weather is bad or the driving
conditions are less-than-desirable, slow down to allow for a greater
breaking distance. -
Drive smoothly. Aggressive acceleration and deceleration are
both potentially dangerous. The smoother you drive, the greater your
reaction times will be.
About The Floow
Based in Sheffield in the UK and Detroit in the U.S., The Floow is one
of the world’s leading telematics innovators, with the mission of making
mobility safer and smarter for everyone. Its user-friendly telematics
platform provides drivers with actionable insights and engagement
propositions that improve safety and loyalty, and allows insurers, fleet
companies and auto manufacturers to make more informed and profitable
decisions.
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