One in five Texas car crashes is due to the driver being distracted. This is why I am participating in TxDOT’s “Heads Up, Texas” campaign – to raise awareness about this problem, and I want also share with you the most dangerous distractions while driving.
This post was created in partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). However, all opinions are my own.
Every time I drive, I find most of the other drivers distracted. I’ve seen everything from people talking on the phone to people shaving!
If you follow me on Instagram you will surely have noticed that I am participating with a series of
photos in TxDOT’s “Heads up, Texas” campaign.
This campaign is a call to action encouraging drivers to avoid distracted driving by keeping their heads up and paying attention when behind the wheel.
My older children are drivers now and I already feel like my mom. I’m always reminding them to
drive responsibly and not be distracted, but above all to drive defensively.
Because when you drive a car, you not only have to drive carefully but, you also have to be aware
of any external situation that may arise. Take care of your life. Avoid fines and crashes. If you
crash, your car insurance increases.
Texting while driving is illegal in Texas, yet one in five car crashes are caused by distractions while driving. Talk. Text. Crash.
All distractions while driving are dangerous, let’s identify them.
The most frequent distractions while driving
- Talking on the phone (even hands-free)
- Texting and sending electronic messages
- Daydreaming
- Reading
- Applying make up
- Adjusting radio or music
- Shaving
- Watching videos
- Eating and drinking
- Programing the navigation system
- Taking pictures
- Distracting yourself with the other passengers
If you can’t wait to do any of these activities, you better pull off the road entirely and come to a stop.
In the case of texting you can look for an app to send an automatic reply when you are driving.
Web-based AR game “Dart Those Distractions”
Furthermore, TxDOT is inviting people to participate by playing their new, free, web-based augmented reality (AR) game “Dart Those Distractions.”
As shown on the screenshot, in this game you can see a car surrounded by distraction balloons. The objective is to eliminate them all before it’s safe to drive by throwing darts at balloons that represent distractions like texts, coffee, cellphones, etc. I had a good time playing and eliminating distractions. I invite you to try this game to see what level you reach! I reached level 7.
To play “Dart Those Distractions,” visit dartthosedistractions.com and accept the camera and motion sensor. Then position your phone so that you see a flat, well-lit surface, such as the floor, your bed sheet, or a wall.
And voila, a car will appear along with some distractions. You will see a triangle that you have to place on top of the distractions. Click on the dart and that will make you pop the distraction.
I invite you to drive responsibly, do not risk your life, everything can wait. Drive without distractions and keep your head up!
And remember: Talk. Text. Crash.
Veronica says
Great post! We need to take more care.
All distractions while driving are dangerous. Love the campaign. Xx
Veronica says
Great campaign. In FL is also ilegal to text and drive, and still there are so many people doing so.
And much more. Imagine, one day I saw a girl making herself a pedicure.
Estefania says
It’s so important to be safe while driving and to avoid all the distractions you are listing!
Monica says
Using the mobile phone, or receiving or making text messages while driving is also penalized here, thanks for the information you share Brenda
Mary Leon says
I must confess I tend to daydream a lot. Also, get distracted with talking on the phone with the hands-free device, I have to reduce that. BTW I got to play the “Dart Those Distractions” game to see if it helps me. Thanks for sharing!!!