Help Put A Stop To Distracted Driving! #DecideToDrive

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This post was sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ “Decide to Drive” distracted driving awareness program, in partnership with the Auto Alliance, to remind you to always “decide to drive.”

Distracted driving seems to be all too familiar these days. In a day and age where technology is with us at all times it’s hard to disconnect while behind the wheel and it’s something I struggle with along with many others. I attended a few seminars last year about distracted driving and they were really eye opening for me and since then I try really hard to focus on the road and minimize my distractions while behind the wheel. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Auto Alliance want to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving and this is something I’m thrilled to help spread the word about as well.

The Decide to Drive program aims to empower drivers and passengers to speak up about distracted driving, continue the conversation at home, work and play, and reduce distracted behaviors behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the nearly 33,000 roadway fatalities in 2012, there were 3,328 fatalities and approximately 421,000 injuries in distracted driving-related crashes. That’s a lot of deaths and injuries that could be prevented if we put an end to distracted driving. There are lots of great safety features available in cars these days, but the #1 safety feature is the driver. The AAOS and the Auto Alliance urges all drivers to keep their most sophisticated safety features engaged at all times: eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

The Orthopaedic surgeons—the specialists who put bones and limbs back together after road crashes and traumas—along with our partners, the automakers, would rather help all drivers “decide to drive” each time they get in the car and to keep bones and limbs intact. Now let’s face it, Is a broken bone, accident, or something else caused from distracted driving really worth it?

Looking for ways to cut out distracted driving? These tips are a reminder for each and every time you get behind the wheel to make all other activities, passengers and priorities secondary to driving. The AAOS, and the Auto Alliance encourage all drivers to simply stop your vehicle – in a safe area – any time there is a distraction that needs your attention.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.