Driving is a part of everyday life for most people in Colorado. You may not think about all the dangers you face every time you get behind the wheel, but by neglecting simple cautions, you can put yourself and others on the road at risk. When multiple safety hazards intersect, it can be a particularly dangerous situation. This is the case in car accidents involving distracted drivers and lack of seatbelts.
According to The Denver Post, this problem is particularly troublesome in Colorado; the director of the Colorado Department of Transportation has labeled it an “epidemic.” Distracted driving causes car accidents, and when additional hazards are present, it can turn into a deadly situation.
Eliminate distractions
To prevent car accidents and avoid preventable injuries, you must acknowledge and eliminate any potential distractions that may impair your driving. The most common distraction, of course, is texting. In addition to this and other physical distractions, you may be affected by mental distractions or auditory distractions, too. It is important to consider any factor that may take your attention off the road.
Always wear a seatbelt
As the aforementioned article says, crashes that may have only caused injuries can cause deaths if drivers and passengers are not wearing seatbelts. Seatbelts are known to reduce car accident fatalities dramatically, but many people neglect to wear them for the same reason they text and drive: laziness. It is difficult to make yourself wait to send a text, and it takes effort to put on a seatbelt.
Take responsibility
Perhaps the most important step that drivers can take to reduce distractions and deaths is taking responsibility for their actions behind the wheel. It is your duty to identify the distractions that may compromise your ability to drive safely and be proactively safe rather than passively lazy. A simple shift in perspective could save lives on the road.