5 Tips for Staying Focused on the Road

June 17, 2021

Bright lights, surprise road debris, cars whizzing by, the blare of the radio ‐ is this a crazy video game? No, its real life! And its what your daily commute can feel like if you don't make an effort to tune out distractions and focus on the road. No matter how long you've been driving, take a moment now and during Distracted Driving Awareness Month to learn how to better concentrate on the road.

Stay Focused on the Road When You Anticipate These Types of Distractions

Even if you pride yourself on being an excellent driver, distractions are everywhere. The best way to prevent these distractions from interfering with your driving is to know what kind of distractions you'll face and be proactive about eliminating them before you hit the road.

Typically, there are three types of distractions that can occur while driving:

• Manual: When you take your hands off the wheel
• Visual: When you take your eyes off the road
• Cognitive: When your mind wanders and is no longer focused on driving

Lets dive in and learn how to conquer these distractions.

How to Stay Focused When Driving

Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can increase your chance of being in an accident. Here are some of the best ways to deal with distractions while driving ‐ and help prevent them from happening in the first place.

1. Ensure passengers are settled BEFORE you hit the road.

Kids and pets can quickly steal your attention. When you buckle children into their car seats, ensure any essential items (like crayons or snacks) are within their reach. This way, you wont have to do any reaching while you try to stay focused on the road. For passengers of the animal variety, use a crash-safe harness, pet barrier, or enclosed kennel to prevent pets from climbing into the front seat.

2. Secure cargo.

Its a no-brainer to secure your passengers, but don't forget about your cargo! An object that rolls around on the floor can easily pull your attention away from the road ‐ or worse, get lodged under your accelerator or brake pedal. Whether you're toting around the essentials, like a roadside emergency kit or a full load of groceries, consider installing a Nissan cargo organizer to keep things neatly contained.

3. Keep the radio at a reasonable volume.

Few things are better than cruising with the windows down and singing along to your favorite tunes. But while you're enjoying the open road in your Nissan, make sure your radio volume wont drown out nearby sirens or warning honks from other drivers.

4. Limit how often you eat or drink while driving.

Maybe you're a master of multitasking at work or at home, but multitasking from behind the wheel is never a good idea. If you absolutely must eat or drink something while you're driving, make it a mess-free, handheld snack that allows you to keep your eyes and attention on the road. Dropped a crumb? Features like the Lane Departure Warning on Nissans Safety Shield 360 may alert you if you accidentally veer from your lane, but for maximum safety, its best not to eat while driving.

5. Use hands-free accessories and features if you must make phone calls.

Have an urgent call to make? Averting your gaze (and your attention) to open a phone app, scroll through your contacts, and try to place a phone call can get you into trouble in a split second. Hands-free, voice-activated devices and built-in phone connectivity within your Nissan can help you communicate when you need to without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.

How to Concentrate While Driving: Establish a Pre-Drive Routine

Before you shift your Nissan into drive, shift your brain into focused driving mode. Establish a consistent pre-driving routine to help you mentally prepare for driving (and to minimize distractions before they happen). Along with buckling your seatbelt, here are a few ideas for a pre-drive routine that can train your brain to concentrate while driving.

• Set your final destination in your phone GPS or Nissan navigation system. Typing while driving in any form is dangerous, and that includes typing an address into your navigation system. Need to change course? Rely on hands-free, voice-activated features, or pull over to a safe stop to change your destination address.
• Look in ALL directions to ensure there are no pedestrians or objects nearby. While Nissans Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert may help you stay aware of what's in front of your vehicle, its ultimately up to you to make sure the path is clear before you let off the brakes and move your vehicle.
• Ensure your mirrors are in the proper position and adjust as needed. Your mirrors can provide a better view of your surroundings and blind spots while you're driving, but adjusting them while driving can do more harm than good. Check your mirrors before you move.
• Put your phone out of reach. If you're tempted to text or check apps while driving, move your phone to the trunk or back seat before you start your Nissan. No post, text, or email is worth the risk of an accident, so eliminate the temptation for yourself altogether when you put your phone far out of reach.

Distraction-Free Driving Starts with YOU!

Ready to become a less distracted driver? It can start with keeping your eyes on the road and keeping your Nissan in tip-top shape! If any of your Safety Shield 360 systems aren't functioning as they should, visit your nearest Nissan service center for new brake pads, brake component repairs, diagnostic tests for your tech features, and more. When you need quick OEM replacement parts and accessories that can enhance your safe driving experience, shop online with Nissan Parts & Accessories.