The National Safety Council estimates that on a typical day, eight people are killed and hundreds more injured in distracted driving crashes. Eight people per day! Distracted Driving Month, recognized each April, is the perfect time to remind drivers of common distractions and how to avoid them.

Below are a few simple ways to prep for a safe, distraction-free drive:

• Prepare for your ride. Before departing, make any necessary adjustments to your mirrors and seat, and map out your journey using tools such as GPS.
• Don’t use your mobile phone while driving. Enable the ‘do not disturb’ function and put it out of reach.
• Don’t multitask! Applying makeup, shaving, eating, or using your vehicle’s dashboard touch screen are all extremely dangerous when you’re behind the wheel. Plan ahead and build more time into your schedule so you don’t engage in these activities while driving.
• Check on young children and pets before your commute.
• On longer drives, plan breaks to check messages and texts.
• Be a defensive driver! Even if you free yourself from distractions, that doesn’t mean that other drivers will. Be aware of drivers around you and give them space if they are swerving, driving extremely slow or fast, or using the phone.

For more tips, visit the NSC Distracted Driving Awareness Month web page.