Imagine driving down the highway at 55 mph with your eyes closed. It’s a crazy idea and you wouldn’t do it, but did you know texting while driving is the equivalent to this very idea?
Although texting is one of the most alarming driving distractions, distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention from driving including eating and drinking, talking with vehicle passengers, and adjusting your car radio. Distracted driving claims the lives of nine people and is responsible for over 1,000 injuries each day according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
With motorcycle season still in full swing, it’s important to stay vigilant and set all distractions aside. Responding to a text could be the moment between life or death for a motorcyclist next to you. Due to their small stature, motorcycles tend to blend in with traffic and can be hidden in your blind spots. It’s also important to remember motorcyclists don’t always use their brakes to slow down. If you’re not paying attention you have a higher chance of colliding with a rider in your blind spots when switching lanes or causing a fatal accident with a motorcyclist slowing down in front of you.
When you’re not focused on the road, you’re not focused on those riding or driving around you.