Texting while driving? Chatting while driving? Checking out Bumble while driving? Oh, cell no.  

Distracted driving is dangerous driving. But the distractions don't end once you send off your message, update your bestie on your date last night, or choose between swiping left or right on your dating profile. 

Driving is a full attention kind of sport, not something you can do with your brain on auto-pilot. Drivers need to be ready to predict and react to anything that happens on the road (cars swerving and changing lanes, road and weather conditions, street signs, pedestrians and pets that could suddenly dart out from the sidewalk, etc.)  

Here are a few tried-and-true tips for staying alert and attentive on the road ahead. Keep these in mind to keep the drive safer for everyone. 

When you’re piloting your ride, make sure you’re in charge. If you’re sleepy or wanting to check on the alerts coming from your phone —  just pull safely off the road. You can always switch drivers (if that’s an option), or walk around to reenergize yourself if you feel like dozing off. You can also take a nap in your car if you need to completely zone out and recharge. 

It’s great to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but that doesn’t mean you can drive and play full-on DJ (rifling through songs on your iPhone), apply makeup, or any of the thousands of activities drivers have admitted to doing.  

Hunger pains are nothing compared to the physical pain you can feel if you get involved in an incident. Grabbing a quick bite from a drive-through is fine; eating the meal while in motion is not. 

Don’t be a daydream over-believer — missing exits because you’re not paying attention. If you’re losing focus, you can always vary your route by taking another way home or to the office. Change up your scenery or play some different tunes.  

Get app-y when you drive with phone apps that silence incoming calls and texts while you’re in motion. You can even set up an auto-response to notify people that you’re driving and will return their call later. 

PRO TIP: Download the Novo App for more insights as well as driver tips and feedback on how you’re doing week-to-week.  

Empowered drivers are safer drivers, more thoughtful drivers, more engaged drivers — and let’s face it, more dateable drivers. Check out more helpful tips on our blog, such as:

• Break Up With Bad Driving Habits

• Time to Replace Your Windshield Wipers?

• Car Fires: Can It Happen to You? 

What are you waiting for? Join the ride and get a free quote today to see how techno-driven coverage can lower your premiums.