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Commit To Driving Hands-Free *Giveaway*

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“Driving shouldn’t be a secondary task…it should be the only task.”

Giveaway, Distracted Driving, Bluetooth Device, Hands-Free Driving, National Safe Driving Month

You may not realize it, but there is quite a bit of research behind each of my posts. Every post you see on this site was specifically selected from hundreds of other topics and ideas that could have appeared in it’s place.  I am very purposeful about the content that does and does not appear, so that each post is relevant, accurate, informative, and compelling.

This month is National Safe Driving Month, and while researching the topic, I happened upon a site called Distraction.gov.  As I began reading the stories…the faces of distracted driving…I felt convicted…guilty of driving distracted.  I spent a lot of time on the site and picked up just a few tips and bits of information about distracted driving.

When I think of distracted driving, I think of using a mobile phone.  However, eating, drinking, reading a map/GPS, and even talking are all behaviors that distract a driver from the task at hand.  Here are some of the things I do before getting behind the wheel.

1.  I ensure I know exactly where I’m going.  Sometimes that means inputting the address into the GPS prior to starting the car.  If I do end up getting lost, I pull over and re-orient myself with the GPS.

2.  I ensure my bluetooth device is charged and turned on.  In the event I do receive a call, I don’t have to reach for the phone.

3.  I ensure that I’ve made all important phone calls ahead of time.  Looking down for even a second to dial could be disastrous.

4.  I ensure I’ve made all necessary adjustments.  I find my radio station or CD, adjust all mirrors, and make sure the temperature is appropriate.

Two things that I need to start doing include placing my purse and phone in the backseat, and stopping to sit down and eat rather than trying to attempt this in the car.

Giveaway, Distracted Driving, Bluetooth Device, Hands-Free Driving, National Safe Driving Month

A few years back, many states, including California, established a hands-free law, which means that it is illegal for a driver to operate a mobile phone and a vehicle at the same time.  My bluetooth devices have been invaluable for those important calls to my husband about schedules, our children, or dirctions but  I want to commit to spending less time driving and talking.

As part of National Safe Driving Month, Motorola Mobility is rewarding drivers who commit to responsible driving behavior through its Responsibility on the Road program.  Selected montorists who follow their state and local hands-free laws will be provided Bluetooth devices and all drivers can take advantage of their online resources.

If you visit Motorola’s Facebook page, you can take the Responsibility on the Road pledge and receive 50% off select hands-free devices.  Through the end of June, Motorola will also host Responsibility on the Road events to help provide education regarding hands-free laws.

If you remember, I recently reviewed Motorola’s Roadster, an in-car speakerphone which enables drivers to communicate hands-free.  You can revisit my complete review here.

I took the pledge to drive hands (and distraction) free.  Will you?

For information on hands-free laws specific to your state, visit Motorola.

Win It! One of you will win a Motorola Roadster. Simply leave me a comment with a tip for driving distraction-free.  Comments will close on July 13th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Giveaway item supplied by Motorola.

Caryn Bailey
Latest posts by Caryn Bailey (see all)

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160 Responses to Commit To Driving Hands-Free *Giveaway*

  1. One thing I try to do is make sure my kiddo has the necessary items he might need- sippy, snacks, and toy before I start driving. I also make sure I have things like sunglasses where I know they are so I can grab them without taking my hands off the road.

    Reply

  2. My little one has all he needs at his side so he can take care of himself and keep me distraction free.

    Reply

  10. If you don’t have a hands-free device – don’t panic when your cell phone rings. For the most part most calls aren’t emergencies anyway, when safe, pull over, park and call the person back.
    rmelton[at]hotmail[dot]com

    Reply

  21. Sometimes you just have to learn to ignore things. If you can’t ignore your phone, turn it off. You probably won’t be driving that long anyway.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  34. I keep my phone in my purse in the back seat so I don’t have it next to me to get and use! Thanks for the chance.

    Reply

  36. You covered most of the great tips, The only other tip I can think of is to not get behind the wheel when you are upset. That is a big distraction.
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    Reply

  43. I think people forget that they are supposed to continuously check all their mirrors while driving. I think it would be hard to get distracted if you’re busy paying attention to what other drivers are doing.

    Reply

  44. If I need to make or answer a call, I pull over first. (On surfaces streets; on the freeway the phone is just a no-no.) Or if there’s another adult in the car, they handle all phone calls while I’m driving.

    Reply

  46. I make sure my boys have everything they need nearby and when they need me to get something, I make sure to pull over and stop the car.
    nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  49. I make sure that my kids are fed, have gone potty, and happy before getting into the car. This helps ensure a less distracting drive.

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  55. My best tip especially with the kids in the car is talk to your kids before driving. Give them a lecture explaining that mommy needs quiet in order to drive safely. it works most of the time 🙂

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  59. I think turning your radio down is a good way to keep the distraction level down. With the radio down you can hear what you need to hear to even tell if something is wrong.

    Reply

  63. I tell the kids that they can’t fight or throw things. If they start getting really loud, I give them a warning and then will pull over.

    Reply

  70. make sure you have things you need at your fingertips instead of burried in your purse. like sunglasses, breath mints, water bottle, etc easily accessible.

    Reply

  73. Each of my children have a backpack that they take with them when we are in the car.
    It is filled with their things such as games, dvd’s , books etc which keep them occupied and quite while I am driving.
    It also makes for a lot more pleasant ride for all of us.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

  76. i will not awnser the phone at all while driving nothing is that important that it cant wait till i pull over

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  79. Most times, I don’t answer my phone if I am driving, and I never call anyone until I have pulled over to do it.

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  88. For me I get a lot of important calls so I just have to ignore my phone while I’m driving and call them back later

    Reply

  90. Driving with kids in the car can cause some distraction. I make sure they have a few toys/books to keep them busy.

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  93. A good idea is to watch and have your kids watch the videos online of what happens when you drive distracted. They can scare you away from making that mistake.

    Reply

  94. My best tip is to leave all electronic devices in your purse or in the back seat so you don’t even get tempted to use them on the road. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

    Reply

  100. Turn off your cell phone and make sure you create a calm environment so that the kids know the car is not the place to be rambunctious.

    Reply

  116. Driving Distraction free for me is easiest when I try to ignore my text messages going off. It would be easy to pick it up and take a looksy, but a few seconds with my eyes off the road could be catastrophic.

    Reply

  122. I think that it is important not to eat while driving, if you either drop it, spill it or maybe start choking on whatever you are eating it will cause you to lose your focus on your driving

    Reply

  127. My tip for driving distraction-free is I make sure my kids have their games/coloring book or just whatever they might want to play with. I also make sure they use the restroom before leaving the house so they are not saying they have to go potty.

    Thank you

    ericka082 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

  130. one tip for driving distraction free is to make sure to remember that driving is our number one priority

    Reply

  131. tip – dont have the radio on loud and always beware of railroad tracks that may cross roadways or paths

    Reply

  140. I make sure that the kids have what they need with tthem and they know when I am driving it’s quite inside voices and all problems will be taken care of when the car stops unless of course it’s someone getting sick or something like that then I safely pull over right away.

    Reply

  142. One thing is to pull over for phone calls that are going to distract you, even if you have a bluetooth. Or to tell the person that you are on the road and need to call back later.

    Reply

  152. If driving with kids make sure you have something to keep them occupied! Who needs screaming while driving!

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

    Reply

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