Find yourself calling, texting, and cursing everyone going slower - and faster - than you on the road? Keep your family safe with our how-tos for avoiding some major driving don'ts. Remember - your kids are watching you in the car, too!
Get Enough Sleep. Not only is it dangerous to drive when you're not alert, but lack of sleep can also make you more irratable (read: more prone to road rage). Plus, getting the sleep you need has a whole host of benefits for many areas of your life - concentration at work, ability to spend quality time with your loved ones, better health, etc.
Plan Ahead.Chances are, your driving probably gets worse when you are running late. Always seem to be running late? Give yourself/your family and extra 15 minutes cushion. Tell your kids you need to leave 15 minutes before you actually do in an attempt to get the family out of the door in time. Make a conscious effort to plan your schedule in such a way that you're not always rushing. Who knows? The relaxed time in the car may provide for some great moments to talk to your kids.
Turn off the Cell Phone. Study after study keeps telling us that we are, in fact, not good multi-taskers, even if we feel proficient. And, driving is probably the worst time to multi-task. So don't use your drive to make all those phone call you need to make (easier said than done, we know). It's better to wait until your in the parking lot waiting for practice to let out. And never, ever text or type while driving - even at a stop sign.
Stay Relaxed. Take a deep breath before you start your drive. Choose music that energizes/calms you. Rushing out of the parking lot and turning up an angry, bass-laden song can easily set you up for some road rage.
Instead of letting your commute get the best of you, use times you have in the car to relax or to relate to your kids. This will keep you sane, and will help keep your family safe. For more ideas, visit www.edmunds.com.
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