We never used to be so concerned with distracted driving or getting into an accident since the drivers were careful most of the time. However, we had an incident when our family was on our way to Pismo Beach for vacation. While driving, we almost got into an accident because the driver was sending selfies on his phone to a friend and the passenger in the front seat was getting angry because they did not feel safe while the family driver was engaged in this activity while driving. An argument ensued with the family driver and the rest of the family passengers and, all of a sudden, the family driver drifted into on-coming traffic and an accident was narrowly avoided because another family passenger screamed out “watch out.” Due to this narrow escape with death, our family adopted the following plan “Behind the wheel – Family is First.”
BEHIND THE WHEEL – FAMILY IS FIRST
1) Prior to even turning on the engine to the automobile, the family driver will place the cell phone in the trunk area of the automobile. This way, there is no access to the phone to respond to texts nor is the driver tempted to use the device.
2) The passenger sitting next to the driver in the front seat will also place the cell phone in the trunk area of the automobile. The passenger will engage in conversation with the driver to keep the driver alert.
3) The passengers in the back seat are able to keep their phones but they are not able to share any information derived from the phone with the passenger and driver in the front seat. Doing so distracts the driver and leads to increased likelihood of an accident.
4) The passengers in the back seat are able to share information from their phones with other passengers in the back seat but they must share information quietly.
5) The passengers in the back seat are not allowed to discuss any information found on their phone including text messages, social media or even the purchase of goods with the driver and the front seat passenger.
6) If a passenger in the back seat does share information with a front seat passenger or the driver, the passenger in the back seat engaging in this activity must place the phone in the trunk area of the automobile and lose the privilege of use until the family reaches their destination. While this may prove difficult for young passengers since they do not yet understand the dangers of distracted driving, they will learn over time.
7) If navigation is needed for the trip, the passenger sitting behind the driver in the back seat is responsible for following the navigation, watching the road, and letting the driver know the directions, i.e., see Interstate 80 up ahead, take it south.
The main point of our family plan is to limit as many distractions as possible. The common ones in our commutes is showing the drivers various things on the phone or asking them to deter their attention away from the road. Since we have almost come close to being in an accident, we adopted this plan to create discipline in our driving and to safeguard our passengers.
https://ankinlaw.com/teen-driving-safety/
https://ankinlaw.com/textalyzer-app-distracted-driving/
https://ankinlaw.com/dangers-of-distracted-driving/
https://ankinlaw.com/motor-vehicle-accidents/distracted-driving/
https://www.farmers.com/learn/plan-and-prep/distracted-driving/
https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving
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