You already know the risks of texting and driving.  Educated or not, it’s still a tough habit to break. How can you stay focused on the road? Here are four ways to stop texting and driving for good.

1. Understand the risk.

You know distracted driving can end badly. But do you understand why that is? Let me show you.

There is no way to send a text and pay attention to the road at the same time. “Multitasking” is a dumb concept. Really, you are simply shifting your attention from one thing to another.

Driving steals focus from texting, which leads to embarrassing typos. Texting steals focus  from driving, which leads to a slower reaction time (that means you might not notice a pile-up until you smash into the car in front of you). If you do one thing at a time, you will do a good job. If you do two things at the same, you won’t. Worth the risk? Nope.

2. Put your phone away.

It’s hard NOT to check your phone when it’s sitting right next to you. You might even feel like it’s begging for attention: “Pssssst, check your messages. It will only take a second. Nothing bad will happen, I promise!”

Hopefully your phone doesn’t talk to you (in a voice that doesn’t belong to Siri). If it does, I encourage you to seek professional help. Anyway, put your phone away. I don’t care where. Bury it in your purse. Keep it in your glove box. If you have no self-control, toss it in your trunk before you start the ignition.

3. Listen to an audio book.

Most people text because they are bored. Driving can get lonely, especially when you have a long commute. It’s even worse when you are sick of every CD you own. Here’s a helpful hint. Download an audio book. Those are more engaging than music. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll miss important plot points!

4. Catch yourself in the act.

Figure out the triggers that make you reach for your phone:

-Are you drawn to a particular sound (vibrating, ring tones, so on?)

-Do you check it at a certain time (at red lights, during radio commercials, etc.)?

-Could this be a nervous habit (i.e. something you do constantly or obsessively)?

Be mindful. It’s easier to quit a bad habit when you know why you feel so tempted to keep doing it.

Please share this post with your friends so they stop texting and driving for good like you. Thanks! 🙂