Jersey Shore Personal Injury and Employment Specialists

Avoiding the temptation to text while driving

On Behalf of | Oct 23, 2017 | Car Accidents |

If you own a phone and a car, chances are, at some point, you have considered or maybe even tried to text and drive simultaneously. However, this unfortunate lapse in judgment can quickly create dangerous circumstances for yourself, your passengers and other motorists and pedestrians. When you are operating your vehicle in New Jersey, it is never a good idea to use an electronic device. At Escandon, Fernicola, Anderson & Covelli, we are familiar with the dangers of distracted driving.

You may be familiar with the pestering temptation to text and drive. Perhaps you have just received an exciting message and feel compelled to respond right away. Maybe your boss is contacting you and you feel your work is a priority. Because the desire to respond instantly can create a persistent temptation, try these helpful tips suggested by the Huffington Post to keep yourself focused on safety:

  • Personalize your settings to keep notifications silent.
  • Pull over in a safe place to respond to urgent messages that require immediate acknowledgement.
  • Practice patience and remind yourself that nothing is as important as safety and your life.
  • Ask a passenger to respond to a message on your behalf.
  • Input GPS coordinates ahead of time so you are not tempted to fidget with your device while driving.
  • Encourage those around you, especially if you have driving-aged children, not to text and drive. If you know that someone you need to contact is currently traveling, wait until they are finished driving to text them.

These suggestions provide viable alternatives for you if you are faced with an urge to text and drive. For more information about distracted driving, visit our web page.