We live in a society that thrives on multi-tasking. Do you eat breakfast while driving to work or text an important client while behind the wheel? If you answered yes to either of those, you are in danger of either crashing into another vehicle, a pedestrian or flipping over. While multi-tasking can help you complete your to-do list faster, it can result in injuries or worse when you complete these tasks while driving.
According to Illinois’ distracted driving law, if you are found to be involved in distracted driving, you will be charged with hefty fines. Here are some ways you can prevent innocent drivers and people from getting injured and avoid those fines.
Use Your Phone Only for Emergencies
Turn off your phone before getting behind the wheel. If that isn’t possible, only address emergency calls. Plus, when you get a call you cannot ignore, pull over to the side of the road and then pick up. You can also use a hands-free device to answer calls if you are in a hurry. That way, your eyes will remain on the road and both your hands will remain on the steering wheel.Pull Over If You Feel Drowsy
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving while drowsy is one of the main causes of crashes and injuries on the road. Even if you are proud of your driving skills, if you drive when you are sleepy, you will put yourself and others in danger. Don’t get high on coffee in a bid to stay awake and don’t try to get to your destination faster. Just pull over and take a quick nap. Better yet - take the day off and get some sleep.Choose Your Passengers Carefully
If you have small children who can get a bit rambunctious on long drives, make sure you have an adult partner with you as well. That way you can keep your attention on the road and your partner will ensure the kids remain in the back seat. If you are a teen driver, limit the number of friends you give a ride to. Over excited passengers can distract you, which can result in an accident.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident and requires expert legal counsel to acquire damages, get in touch with us at the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today. We will assign a team of expert attorneys to your case who will protect your best interests and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
