When was the last time you were away from your phone for even an hour? You may be using it right now or have it within arms reach. Just like you, millions of people can not distance themselves from their phones. Typically, this would not be an issue, but it can be a large danger for drivers.

Phones can cause distracted driving. Distracted driving happens when a driver's focus is taken away from the road. If a driver receives a call or text, they may instinctively reach out to answer it. This can cause a driver to look away from the road and take their hands off the wheel, opening them and others up to danger. 

Driving safely requires your full attention. If you are taking your phone in your car, then you may consider doing the following: 

Hide your phone from yourself 

It can seem strange to hide your phone from yourself, but it may be the best way to reduce distracted driving. You could place your phone out of reach in your vehicle, such as in the glovebox, bag, backseat or trunk. If you receive a call or text, you may not be able to answer it until you have safely stopped your vehicle. 

Put your phone on silent mode

Most phones allow users to silence calls and texts. Putting your phone on silent mode can immediately reduce phone distractions. Your phone may also have a setting that enables silent mode when it senses a vehicle in motion. This could help if you still need to hear important notifications and often forget to turn on silent mode before driving. 

Practicing safe driving can protect you from major auto accidents. However, you could become the victim of distracted driving. Learning about your legal options after a car accident can help you recover from your injuries and losses.