Distracted driving resulted in 3,450 fatalities in 2016 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and continues to be a primary cause of accidents among drivers of all ages. One of the most popular distractions for drivers is their cell phone. As cell phone technology and access to more features continues to advance so does the amount of distraction for drivers. Drivers aren’t just answering phone calls -- now they’re checking email, scrolling through social media, and more.
To help combat this ever pertinent issue, Apple has released a feature for iOS 11 (and later) users called “Do Not Disturb While Driving,” which silences and filters notifications including phone calls, text messages and all other application notifications.
This feature can easily be adjusted to the preferences of the user, yet if your phone is connected to your vehicle via Bluetooth, when your vehicle is turned on with your phone in range the feature will automatically turn on. This convenience of use is the main reason it has been so successful in preventing distracted driving.
In fact, it’s not just that notifications are temporarily muted, but access to your phone while driving is restricted without agreeing that you’re “not driving”.
Not to worry, though, if someone else is driving your vehicle -- the feature can be turned off by simply pressing “I’m Not Driving” and full access to your phone and its applications is restored. Learn how to make this feature work for you and your family here.
Unfortunately, distracted driving isn’t only caused by cell phone use.
In addition to making use of Apple’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving” Feature (or a similar feature), you might also try the following to avoid falling susceptible to driver distraction:
- Be ready to go before you go - This means: hair brushed, make up done (if applicable), food eaten, and water/coffee drank beforehand. Ever tried to do two very important things at once in a high pressure environment? It usually doesn’t turn out very good. Keep it to just one: driving. This will help to keep you and your fellow drivers safe on the road.
- Clean and organize your vehicle prior to travel - That penny on the floor of your passenger seat that glistens every time the sun hits it can easily be picked up and put in your vehicle’s coin collector or your wallet. Have some mud on your windshield your wipers can’t quite reach? Swing by a car wash before a trip to avoid staring at it your whole trip.
- Load up the right music playlist - The right or wrong music choice can make or break your trip to work. You don’t want to be fiddling around flipping channels on the radio or on your phone to find the right track. Before leaving, load up a surefire playlist that will safely get you to your destination.
- Maintain a safe driving distance behind other vehicles - You might wonder how this comes into play. Well, imagine you see a puppy on a skateboard headed towards a ditch out of your window. You’re going to want to watch to make sure he turns it at the last second, right? What if the car in front of you is stopping at a red light but you’re too busy watching to be sure he makes it? This is why maintaining a safe (4 seconds or more) distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will help ensure you both can brake and stop safely without colliding.
