10 of the Biggest Driving Distractions

Distracted driving is incredibly risky. Here are 10 of the biggest distractions to avoid while driving.

1. Music – Listening to music in the car isn’t necessarily dangerous, but blasting tunes so loud that you can’t hear sirens or focus on the road is. Keep car dancing to a minimum. It might be your Jam, but jam on the inside not on the outside.
2. Food – Eating while driving is a huge distraction. If you were born with three arms, you might be okay, but those of us with two shouldn't try drive with our knees while scarfing down a burger, or fumble around on the floorboard trying to find that dropped fried pickle.
3. Passengers – Road trips are always better with friends, and driving kids to soccer practice is pointless with no kids in the car. But at the same time, passengers can distract you from driving. Conversations are fine, but you don't have to make eye contact with the person while you're driving.  
4. Emergency vehicles – It might be a wreck, a routine stop, or just a kind fireman retrieving a cat from a tree, but it's hard not stare when it comes to emergency vehicles. There’s something about those flashing lights that turns a neck to rubber. Be safe and keep watching the road. If it's something important, you can read about it in the news.
5. Other drivers – Sure, the guy riding your bumper for the last mile is a jerk, but there's not much you can do about it. Road rage and pressured driving can be big distractions. Keep a level head and focus on the road. 
6. Beautiful scenery – It can be an incredible sunset, or a breathtaking look over the Ozark Mountains. Whatever it is, even something as seemingly harmless as a lovely view can be a dangerous distraction. If you see a sky worth staring at, pull over and stare. What’s a couple of minutes added on to a trip? 
7. Deep philosophical thoughts about the meaning of existence and whatnot – These are tricky to avoid; after all, you aren't trying to get absorbed in thought. They typically come out of nowhere and you don't know how distracted you are until you realize you can’t remember the last five minutes of your drive. Focus on the road and save those thoughts for a good philosophical debate!
8. Getting dressed – You hit snooze on the alarm clock like a mouse triggering endorphins in a lab, and now you're late for work. You think, "I’m late! I’ll tie my tie in the car so I can make it to work on time!" Do not think this. You're not saving that much time, and an accident will definitely make you late.
9. Complicated riddles – These are dangerous and distracting for the same reasons as thoughts about the universe and existence. Under no circumstance should you be subjected to riddles while driving. If a passenger is insistent upon asking riddles, kindly pull over and kick them out of your vehicle.
10. Phones – Phones are one of the biggest and most common distractions. Talking on the phone while driving can be dangerous, but texting is even worse. If you need to respond to a text or make a call, be safe and pull over. Otherwise, it can wait.