Recently two distracted Northwest Airlines pilots overshot their destination by 150 miles, ending up in Wisconsin instead of their planned destination—the Minneapolis Airport.
How did this happen? It wasn’t drugs, alcohol or lack of sleep as many had speculated. According to government investigators, laptops were to blame for the pilots getting distracted and losing track of time.
Luckily, no one was injured and the plane landed safely, however, this story is a stark and scary reminder of how dangerous distractions can be, whether you’re flying a plane or simply driving while distracted.
Do you eat on the road? Use your phone while driving? Use your car as your personal beauty salon?
Nearly 6,000 people lose their lives in vehicle accidents related to distracted driving and even more are injured each year. For some, bad driving habits have become such a normal part of driving that they don’t even realize they are distracted and putting themselves in danger.
If you’re ready to make some life-saving changes to your regular driving routine, follow these five easy steps to minimize distracted driving.
1. Recognize Distractions
Once you recognize the activities that distract you, you can work to eliminate them.
2. Make a Plan
Before you set out for the road, check your missed calls, finish putting on any makeup and eat any snacks. This way, you can eliminate any distractions before they occur.
3. Manage Your Time
If you have a busy work schedule, you should always make time at the beginning and end of each day to check your email and answer any missed calls or texts so you won’t have to multi-task on the road.
4. Pull Over
If you have an urgent phone call or need to skim a map for directions, safely pull over to the side of the road to keep yourself and other drivers safe.
5. Make a Pact
If you have trouble putting down your cell phone or avoiding other distractions, you should make a concerted effort to turn off your phone and remove any potential distractions from your car. Pledge to drive without distractions and get your friends and family involved.
