Finding a Great Car

3 Ways To Safely Handle Technology When Driving

16 July 2020 by Elaine Kelly

There is no denying that technology has become such an integral part of most people's lives that many can't imagine walking to another room in their home without their phone, let alone leaving their home without their phone and other technology devices in hand.

This dependence and integration of technology into daily life has impacted the way that we drive, which means as a new driver, it is important to learn how to handle technology.

Way #1: Program Your Phone for What You Need Beforehand

First, you are going to want to program your phone to do anything you need it to do before you get into the vehicle. For example, if you want to go somewhere new, and you need directions, you should program the route before you get into your car.

Don't just put the address into the phone. Read the directions so you know what to expect, then turn on the voice audio instructions so that you don't have to pick up your phone and read the directions as you drive.

If you want to listen to music, set-up the playlist, and connect your phone to Bluetooth before you get into the car. That way, you don't have to set-up your music when you are driving.

If you have any reason to use your phone for directions or music, that should all be pre-programmed before you start driving.

Way #2: Change Your Phone Settings

Second, you need to change your phone settings before you get into your vehicle. You need to set your phone to "Do Not Disturb," before you get in the car. When you set your phone to "Do Not Disturb" you will not get audible alerts on your phone.

All text messages and phone calls will be silenced. On most phones, "Do Not Disturb" will also silence all the alerts on your phone, which can be just as distracting as phone calls and text messages. That way, your phone will not disturb you when you are driving.

Way #3: Commit to the Road

Finally, you need to commit to being dedicated to the road. You need to make a commitment not to text or talk on the phone when you are driving. The messages you are being sent can wait.

If that is too hard for you to commit to while having your phone near you, you are going to need to put your phone in the backseat or trunk area of your car. Smartphones are really useful, but they can also be really distracting, and that distraction can lead to serious and even deadly consequences if your attention is taken off the road and directed to your phone.

You can implement the strategies above to help you manage and handle your technology when you are driving. When you are driving, you focus should be on the road. You will learn more about handling your technology, and how to focus on your driving, by attending driving school. Driving school will help you learn how to handle the demands of the road and avoid distractions that can be dangerous and deadly.

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