Distractions

The primary responsibility of a driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely which requires full attention and focus. Cell phones, GPS devices and other in-car devices can distract drivers from this important task. When it comes to cell phones, the safest action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving. Research has shown that even the use of hands-free devices (headset, speakerphone or other devices) does not eliminate the distraction of the conversation. If a driver must make or take a call, the best strategy is to pull over when and where it is safe to do so.  Many older drivers also install GPS devices that can be invaluable in making sure the driver gets to his or her destination. However, they can be distracting if the driver is paying more attention to what is on the GPS device than on the roadway. Like cell phones, if the driver needs to operate the GPS device, it is best to pull over when and where it is safe. To learn more about driver distractions, click here or visit NHTSA's Web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.