Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving a Person Driving a Car While Looking at His Phone

5 Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving

We have so many tools at our disposal to help us avoid distracted driving. Still, it is estimated that distracted driving caused over 3k deaths and more than 400,000 injuries in 2024. We need to find ways to reduce distracted driving, especially for new drivers.

Putting our phones down is only one of the ways to reduce distracted driving, we need more for ways to keep new drivers safer.

Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving

Putting our phones down is only one of the ways to reduce distracted driving, we need more for ways to keep new drivers safer. Driving stats are updated every year. Unfortunately, distracted driving has not improved. We still need to learn how to keep distractions at a minimum while driving.

As of 2024, the stats show us that more than 3,000 people were killed in car accidents caused by distracted driving. In fact, distracted driving accounts for 8% of fatal crashes, 15% of injury crashes, and 14% of police-reported crashes.

This is all just in 2024, and the numbers aren’t getting lower. These dangers are increased for new drivers. Luckily, there are things we can do to reduce distractions behind the wheel.

Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving a Driver in a Car Looking Down at His Phone

Recognize the Dangers of Distracted Driving

Knowing the numbers can help people understand the importance of avoiding distracted driving. New drivers may think that it is weird to think that texting someone while driving is life-threatening. Teens often see parents doing it while driving them to school or running errands.

However, it only takes one mistake to cause the loss of life. The numbers help motivate new drivers to never pick up the habit of texting while driving.

Utilize Car Features

Most new cars these days come with ways to respond to texts and calls without having to take your hands off the wheel. Ultimately, one of the best ways to reduce distracted driving is to keep your hands on the wheel.

Use any features like Android Auto or CarPlay to help respond to calls and texts without looking at your phone even once. Another way to think of it is that we pay premium prices for these features to be included in the vehicle, so why waste money by not using them?

Ways to Reduce Distracted Driving Close Up of a Person's Hand Holding a Phone and a Steering Wheel at Once

Keeping New Drivers Safe

New drivers are inherently at higher risk simply due to lack of experience. However, seasoned drivers are more likely to drive while distracted. It is important for seasoned drivers to set a good example for new drivers.

Seasoned drivers can also help increase the safety of other drivers, including new ones on the road, by simply putting the phone down. We can also pull over to the side of the road for calls. 

Keep Passengers to a Minimum

Getting a driver’s license for the first time is exciting. Teens are ready to head out and drive as far as they possibly can with friends filling the car. However, each of those passengers raises the risks of driving. One of the easiest ways to reduce distracted driving is by limiting the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Parents and teens can discuss the number of passengers and even who can be in the vehicle while a teen driver is still learning to drive. Reducing these risks is easy we just need to put the phone down, utilize safety features, limit the number of passengers, set a good example, and know the dangers of distracted driving. And don’t forget to take the pledge to drive safely.