End Your Phone Call If The Conversation Shifts To These Topics While You're Driving

Checking emails, texting, and using apps are all distracting smartphone activities that can dramatically increase your likelihood of being in a car accident. In addition to the serious risk of sustaining an injury, there's also the chance of getting charged as a result of your use of the phone. Many states have hands-free driving laws, which means that you can talk on the phone as long as your hands are on the wheel. What you might not realize, however, is that talking can also pose a distraction at certain times. If you're on a hands-free call and the conversation turns to one of these things, consider ending the call to avoid distractions and potentially a heightened risk of an accident.

Financial Difficulties

Perhaps you're driving when your spouse calls you to discuss your recent credit card statement and shares concern at the family's inability to pay it on time. Such a conversation can quickly pull your attention away from the road in front of you and have you thinking about how you can make extra money, what may happen to your credit rating, and all sorts of other financial considerations. Few things can stress and distract people as quickly as financial discussions, so it's a good idea to avoid this topic while you're driving.

Parenting Issues

It's also possible that your spouse may want to talk to you about an issue related to your child. For example, perhaps your child has gotten into trouble at school and will be suspended. If you're on your way home from work, you and your spouse may wish to go over how you'll react to the news and what punishment you might hand out, too. As you mind goes over this upsetting news, it's easy to forget that you're driving in traffic — and your distracted mind could fail to notice something that happens in front of you. The result can be an accident, and you can directly link it to your phone call.

Arguments

Any type of argument can be distracting when you're behind the wheel, and is generally best for you to avoid. Whether you're arguing with a spouse or a family member, or perhaps even a colleague, your mind will be so focused on the discussion that you're distracted and may not be fully aware of your surroundings. A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye, and can often be preventable if you aren't talking on the phone about something that draws a lot of attention.

In the event of an accident and a distracted driving-related charge, hire a car accident lawyer.


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