This post is part of my partnership with the
US Cellular Blogger Brigade Ambassador Program.
Does your teen have a cell phone?
Make sure you download the Parent-Child Agreement.
I spend half my life in the car.
Driving the kids to and from school.
Driving to the grocery store.
Driving to Target {a lot}
Driving to the gym {which sounds silly when I type this}
Anyway, you get the point.
I’m all over the place and while I’m running errands and playing chauffeur, my phone is buzzing with calls, texts and notifications. Some of these are important, like the hubs telling me which ball field practice is on. While others, like the fact that 20 people favorited my Facebook post, can wait.
While I know it’s not safe to text, call or check those Facebook messages while driving. I find myself doing it anyway.
I’m not in the minority either.
According to a U.S. Cellular survey, 43% of smartphone owners use their device while driving.
Since April is Distracted Driving Month, I figured this would be a great time to give some of these safe driving tips from our friends at US Cellular a try.
Take away distractions:
It is easy to be distracted by the phone buzzing in the console. If the noise is too disruptive, switch to the Do Not Disturb mode on the iPhone 6s during drive time. Friends and family will understand the commitment to limit distractions.
Prepare yourself beforehand:
Enter the address into the GPS on a smartphone before hitting the road. Make sure to place your mobile device in a spot where directional prompting can be heard to prevent missing a turn.
Utilize accessories:
With accessories such as the Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth Headset, carrying on a conversation during a commute is easy, convenient and safe. According to the same U.S. Cellular survey, 74 percent of those who use their phone while driving utilize a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth headset or in-car Bluetooth system.
Enlist the help of passengers if it can’t wait:
Remember, distracted driving not only affects you but also impacts the safety of others. Now that my oldest can read and write, he’s been an excellent communications co-pilot. He can text his dad, and respond to messages that can’t wait. If I’m alone, I have designated ringtones set for my husband, so if I hear an incoming message I know it’s important and pull over to check my device. If it’s not important it can’t wait, and friends and family understand.
Make a family commitment:
Make the commitment to not text and drive. With the popularity of texting, it is no surprise that 87% of smartphone owners text daily. U.S. Cellular’s Parent-Child agreement allows families to create a customizable contract with family members to make the conversation easier and clearer. The agreement focuses on safety and etiquette, even when it comes to bringing smartphones into the car.
Remember distracted driving is not limited to using a mobile device, but also includes eating, drinking, grooming and talking to passengers. In 2013, there were 3,154 deaths in relation to distracted driving.
Now that I’m not distracted by my iPhone, I’m listening to the radio more, and better yet having THE BEST conversations with the kiddos. Yesterday we discussed which super powers we’d like to have. Better Moments thanks to fewer distractions.
That’s a win, win.
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Disclaimer: Through the rest of the year I’ll be sharing some more of My BETTER MOMENTS as a US Cellular Better Moments Blogger Brigade Ambassador. All opinions are my own and an honest view of my story as a US Cellular customer.