What should drivers avoid doing while driving to ensure safety?

Texting or using a mobile device while driving is particularly dangerous and should be avoided to ensure safety on the road. Engaging in these activities takes the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Texting involves not only cognitive distraction, as the driver is focused on reading or composing messages, but also visual distraction when looking at the device instead of the road. Additionally, manual distraction occurs because one or both hands are taken off the steering wheel to operate the device.

While listening to music, eating or drinking, and having conversations with passengers can introduce some level of distraction, they are generally less impairing compared to the comprehensive distractions posed by mobile device use. Many drivers can manage these activities with relative safety if they are mindful and remain focused on the road. However, the act of texting or using a mobile device has been shown through various studies to have a much higher correlation with accidents and near-misses, making it a critical behavior to avoid for maintaining road safety.