If your attention isn’t on driving, it’s much harder to process information and react to road obstacles. In fact, distracted drivers injure about 280,000 people a year and are responsible for nearly 9% of crash deaths, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if you don’t cause an accident, distracted driving can result in fines, points on your license, and higher car insurance costs.

Like most people, you’ve probably been guilty of distracted driving at least once. You may have checked a text, reached for a snack, or simply changed a radio station—but doing anything that takes your focus off the road puts you at higher risk for an accident.

In this guide, we’ll talk about the most common distracted driving behaviors and how you can avoid them. Let's get started.

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What is distracted driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts your attention from the road. Not only is distracted driving a risk to yourself, but it also puts passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians in danger. Common distracted driving behaviors include:

Talking on your cell phone

Sending or reading texts and emails

Browsing or posting on social media

Eating

Falling asleep

Putting on makeup or other personal grooming

Using your phone or a camera to take photos

Using your phone to look at apps

Changing the radio station

Taking your eyes off the road to reach for an object

Having conversations with passengers

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What are the consequences of distracted driving?

Trying to multitask while driving increases your risk of getting into a traffic accident and causing harm to yourself and others. Even behaviors that might seem harmless—like reaching over to pet your dog in the passenger seat or taking a sip of coffee—divert your attention from the road.

Most states ban the use of cellphones behind the wheel, so getting caught driving while texting or making a call can result in a fine or points on your license. Additionally, if you get pulled over for committing a traffic infraction and the police officer determines that it happened as the result of being distracted, you may end up with a higher fine or even a reckless driving charge.

Not only does a distracted driving citation have negative consequences on your driving record, but it can also affect

how much you pay for car insurance

. In fact, reckless driving charges or being found at fault for an accident can cause your insurance rates to soar.

Key Takeaway Distracted driving puts you at higher risk for a traffic accident and may result in penalties like fines or points on your license.

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How to avoid distracted driving

Some distractions—like your own thoughts or the scenery outside of your car—can be hard to ignore, but you can still protect yourself by minimizing unnecessary risks. Here are some safety tips to help you avoid getting distracted while driving.

Don’t multitask

Don’t text, take selfies, post on social media, or video chat behind the wheel. The best way to avoid the temptation of using your phone while driving is to use your phone’s

do not disturb while driving

app or turn notifications to silent, and keep the phone somewhere out of reach.

Only use your cellphone in emergency situations

Don’t take or make calls while driving unless there’s an emergency and you need to call 911. If you have a modern vehicle, make sure voice-activated calling is turned on so you can contact emergency services while keeping your focus on the road.

Pull over if you’re drowsy

If you’re starting to doze off while driving, pull off the road immediately and take a nap. If you’re close to home, find a gas station or road stop and get some caffeine in order to wake yourself up enough to drive a short distance to your destination.

Driving long distances increases your chances of getting drowsy while driving, so if you know you’ll be in the car for several hours, you should

take precautions

against falling asleep.

Don’t eat while driving

Be sure and eat before you leave home, especially if you’re going to be in the car for a long time. If you get hungry while driving, pull off the road and find a restaurant, road stop, or place to park while you munch on a snack.

If you absolutely must eat on the road, choose foods that are easy to manage and won’t spill—think protein bars, beef jerky, or string cheese.

Finish personal grooming at home

If you’re using your car’s rearview mirror to put on makeup or comb your hair, you aren’t focused on the road. Take care of personal grooming at home or after you reach your destination.

If you need to set your navigation or want to switch to a different playlist, pull off the road and make adjustments there. If you’re driving with a passenger, you can ask them to handle the GPS and music apps rather than pulling over.

Light chit-chat with passengers is usually safe, but you should save arguments, intense conversation, and heated debates until after you’re done driving.

It’s also a good idea to limit the number of passengers in your car if you have the option. Secure children with a seatbelt or

car seat

, and put pets in a carrier before you start the car.

Key Takeaway To avoid distracted driving, don’t talk on your cell phone, text, eat, or mess with apps on the road.

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How to save money on your car insurance

Safety should be a top priority when it comes to driving, just like finding great

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