We know texting and driving is dangerous, but do we know how to prevent texting and driving? Even though we know the risks associated with texting and driving, it can still be a struggle to put a stop to it. This is true for ourselves and for other drivers while we’re a passenger.
Do you know how to have enough self-discipline to keep yourself from making these bad choices? Do you have enough courage to stand up to your friends or family who continue to text while driving? You do!
There are a few solutions to texting and driving that you need to know about. Once you know about these different solutions, you can then implement them in your own scenarios. To learn how to stop texting and driving today, continue reading below.
Here’s everything you need to know about the different texting and driving preventions!
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Turn Phone off or on Silent
We get into our cars, throw our cell phones in the passenger seat, put our seatbelts on, and hit the road. When we first get into our cars, we might not think that our cell phones are going to be a problem. They’re just along for the ride in case of an emergency.
If not turned off or placed on silent, however, they can be a distraction even if we’re not expecting them to be. As you’re driving, your phone suddenly begins to buzz and ring signaling a text. How much self-discipline do you have to not look at it until you’re safely at a full stop?
The temptation can be hard to resist. Instead, turn your phone off completely or at least put it on silent. This way, there’ll be no distractions. If there’s an emergency, your phone is right there ready for you to use without putting you in danger.
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Place Phone in Your Trunk or Glove Box
Even when a phone is placed on silent, it might still be tempting to grab it and look at it here and there while driving. If you have trouble keeping your phone out of your hand while you drive, then consider placing it in the trunk or the glove box.
It’s important to have your phone in the car with you at all times in case you need to use it for emergencies, but keeping it out of arm’s reach will prevent you from grabbing it and checking it while on the road.
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Connect Phone to Car’s Bluetooth
Most newer car models have Bluetooth capabilities. Bluetooth is a great way to prevent a texting while driving accident. Your phone will connect to your car via Bluetooth and you can then receive your text through your car.
Some cars will read the text aloud to you and also say who it’s from. This is a good feature to have if you have anxiety about someone needing to reach you at all times. If your car lets you know that someone is trying to reach you via text and reads the text aloud to you, then you can decide if the text is important enough for an immediate response.
If it is, simply pull your car over and respond. Cars with Bluetooth capabilities will also allow you to answer or make phone calls without having to use your hands.
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Ask Driver to Allow You to Text
Sometimes, it’s not you that’s the problem. If you’re a passenger in a car and the driver is texting, then you need to speak up. They’re not only putting their own lives in danger but your life as well.
A polite way to ask the driver to stop texting and driving is to offer to send the text message for them. Offer to lend them a helping hand so they can drive while you write out their text. If they refuse to let you text for them, then you can let them know that you don’t feel comfortable with them texting while driving.
Remember, your life is in their hands when a passenger in their car. They should be respectful of your concerns. If they’re not, then make other arrangements to get you where you’re going.
Accidents due to texting are common, and the decision to get out of the car could be a decision to save your own life.
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Invest in Text-Blocking Apps
There are plenty of ways to stop yourself from texting while driving, but sometimes it’s still too tempting to resist. When this is the case, you can look into installing text-blocking apps on your phone and on your loved ones’ phones.
These apps work by connecting with your phone’s internal GPS system. The apps will know when you’re driving and how fast you’re driving. When traveling in the car, the app will block all texting coming and going from the phone.
Once at a stop, you can then access any received texts. For parents, this is a good way to ensure your teenagers aren’t texting while driving. It’s a good prevention strategy for yourself as well.
It’s Time to Learn How to Prevent Texting and Driving
Have trouble preventing yourself or your loved ones from texting and driving? It’s time to learn how to prevent texting and driving by keeping this guide handy at all times. Follow the tips listed here and be sure to keep trying different ones until you find the prevention strategy that works best for you!
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