Do you sometimes text while driving? This may give you pause: Driver inattention&mdash;not speeding or driving drunk&mdash;is the No. 1 cause of motor vehicle crashes nationwide. 
Each day in the U.S., nine people are killed and nearly 1,000 people are injured in crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the <a href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=cdc" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC). 
Eyes off the road
When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for about five seconds, the CDC warns. That's long enough to cover the length of a football field if you're driving 55 mph. 
Anything that diverts your attention from driving is risky and could cause a deadly crash, including: 
<ul>
 <li>Using a cellphone to dial, check social media or take pictures. </li>
 <li>Eating, drinking or applying makeup while driving.</li>
 <li>Looking at a GPS map.</li>
 <li>Adjusting the temperature, car windows or mirrors.</li>
 <li>Driving when you're upset or after a heated argument. </li>
</ul>
Stay focused 
Don't gamble with your life&mdash;or the lives of others&mdash;while driving. Minimize distractions with these four tips from CDC, the <a href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=nsc" target="_blank">National Safety Council</a> and other experts:
1. Take precautions before driving. Here's a checklist:
<ul>
 <li>Find the correct route and address on your GPS.</li>
 <li>Finish up any food or drink you're consuming.</li>
 <li>Select the music you'll listen to, set the car temperature, and adjust the mirrors and windows. </li>
 <li>Make sure you're in a reasonable mood. </li>
</ul>
2. Text responsibly. If you need to send a message, pull over and park your car in a safe location. That's the only appropriate time to send or read a text in the car. Alternatively, you might ask a passenger to be your "designated texter." Give them a green light to respond to your calls or messages.
3. Don't use your phone at red lights. It may seem safe. But an <a href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=aaafts" target="_blank">AAA</a> study showed drivers are distracted for nearly 30 seconds after sending a voice text. 
4. Take away temptation. If it's a struggle not to use your cellphone, put it somewhere that's inaccessible&mdash;such as the car's trunk or glove box&mdash;until you arrive at your destination. 
Attention, passengers and parents! 
Whenever you're a passenger, be sure to speak up if the driver is texting&mdash;or otherwise not focused. Ask them to stop the distraction and focus on traffic. 
And moms and dads: Be good role models. Don't drive distracted&mdash;kids often copy what they see. And drivers under 20 have the highest rate of distraction-related fatal crashes. 
That's why if you're the parent of a teen or young adult, you may want to ask your son or daughter to commit to <a href=" https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving#16991" target="_blank">this pledge</a> to fight distracted driving&mdash;and do the same yourself. 
Reviewed 2/16/2024

Driver inattention is the No. 1 cause of crashes