• My Account
  • Cart

Act Missouri

Act Missouri

stars
Taking ACTion to Build a Healthy Missouri
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Ways We Can Help
    • Staff and Board of Directors
    • Archived Newsletters
    • Programs, Partnerships, and Alliances
    • Contact Us
    • Prevention Resource Center Locator
  • Resources
  • Advocacy
    • Distracted Driving Legislation
    • Prevention Stories
    • Capitol Basics
  • Caring Adults
    • Prevention Emeritus Awards
    • Community Coalitions
    • Prevention Resource Center Locator
  • PRCs
    • Mini Grants
    • Community Coalitions
  • Youth
    • Support Our Ambassador Program
    • Youth Ambassador Program
    • Prevention Resource Center Locator
  • Events
    • Annual Prevention Advocacy Day – April 18, 2023
    • Prom
    • Speak Hard Youth Conference | April 13, 2023
    • National Drug Facts Week | March 21 – 27, 2022
    • ACT Missouri Opiate Summit
    • Red Ribbon Week
    • Art of Prevention Contest!
  • SADD
    • saddtownhall
    • Prom
    • TST
    • SADD Programs
    • SADD in 60

Commit to Distraction Free Driving

Attention young drivers!  What would you do with $200.00?  Paying it as a fine is probably not on the top of your list, but that could be your reality if you text and drive.  According to MO Department of Transportation, “You text, you’re next.”  Since 50% of teens admit to texting while driving, you truly could be next.

Distracted driving includes texting, eating, talking, changing the radio station, or any other interruption that takes your eyes off the road.  It only takes a split second to change a life forever, and over 80% of crashes involve distractions.  Take a few seconds to educate yourself and peers to avoid common, and possibly fatal, distractions.

Commit to distraction free driving today, and don’t let an emoji wreck your life!

10 tips to avoid distractions while driving: 

  • Fully focus on driving. Do not let anything divert your attention, actively scan the road, use your mirrors, and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car, so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
  • Make adjustments before you begin your trip. Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time.
  • Finish dressing and personal grooming at home, before you get on the road.
  • Snack smart. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road,avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage.
  • Secure children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
  • Put aside your electronic distractions. Don’t use cell phones while driving, handheld or hands-free, except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.
  • If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving.
  • If another activity demands your attention, instead of trying to attempt it while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. To avoid temptation, power down or stow devices before heading out. Drivers should use caution while using voice-activated systems, even at seemingly safe moments when there is a lull in traffic or the car is stopped at an intersection, because potentially dangerous distractions can last longer than most drivers expect.
  • As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity,it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.

ACT Missouri would like to extend our gratitude to the National Highway Traffic Administration for this information.

Tags: Distracted Driving, Distraction Free Driving, Prevention, SADD, youth Categories: Blog, MYAA

Stay Connected

Get ACT Missouri emails and updates, so you know what's going on. Sign Up
  • Email
  • Facebook

Info For Our

  • Prevention Resource Centers
  • Caring Adults
  • Youth
  • Educators

ACT Missouri Blog

Dec 06

Prevention Happened Here!

Dec 03

National Drug Take Back Totals

May 26

Prevention Wins Were Lean in 2019

Contact Us

2208 Missouri Blvd. Ste. 102 #122
Jefferson City, MO 65109
phone: (817) 832-8559
email: info@actmissouri.org

Prevention Resource Center Locator

Contact your local Prevention Resource Center to find out more about what’s going on in your community and how you can make a difference!
Get a map or see list of locations

Partners

  • Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
  • Missouri Youth/Adult Alliance
  • Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Important Info

  • About ACT Missouri
  • How To Get Involved
  • Mission, Vision, and Ways We Can Help
  • Programs, Partnerships, and Alliances
  • Disclosure

Privacy Policy

2016 © ACT Missouri