Most car manufacturers are trying to make cars with more safety features for technology use. Drivers use all kinds of technology including GPS apps, music players, and making phone calls. There are many safety features built into cars now including lane drifting warnings, automatic braking systems, and even automatic parking. To help with technology use, other features have been built into cars too. Here are some ways you can be a responsible driver and manage technology better in a car.
- Program before you go. One of the main reasons people like to use their phones while they are driving is because of the GPS capabilities. Trying to view a map, look at directions, or put in an address while driving is distracting. When a driver cannot focus on the road, they are putting themselves, their passengers, and others on the road at risk. Using technology responsibly means putting the address into the phone before going and then turning on audible directions so that you do not have to keep looking at your phone. If you need to do anything with your phone, pull completely off the road.
- Use the features on the phone. Many phones have a “do not disturb” setting that can be used while driving. Some are automatic settings when in a car and others are turned on manually. Find how it works on your phone and it will prevent alerts from coming through. This keeps your focus on the road. Don’t worry though- people can still get through in an emergency. For some systems, calls can still come through if someone calls more than once or an alert is given that tells the caller to press a certain number to push the message through.
- Use the features in the car. Another thing that cars have is the ability to sync your device to the car’s system. This helps you keep your hands off your device by allowing you to use voice controls. When a call comes through, pushing a button on the wheel can bring the call through the speakers so it is as if you are talking to a passenger. Voice controls also allow making calls and reading texts to you.
- Recommit yourself to not text and drive. There are so many things that can distract a driver from focusing on the road. Even with all the safety features built into phones and cars, drivers are still choosing to text and drive. Even with all the driver’s education, campaigns, and reminders to not text and drive, people still do it. Recommit to not texting and driving.
People have become so accustomed to having technology assist them. Using technology to help combat the problems technology brings may seem ironic, but it is the best of both worlds. It helps everyone use their devices but in a way that keeps everyone on the road safer. However, there is no adaptation or technological advancement that can make people act responsibly. In the end, the best way to be responsible behind the wheel is to choose to focused.