Distractions are everywhere—especially when you’re behind the wheel. As a careful, responsible driver, it is important to not only be aware of these distractions but also focus on actively preventing them and concentrating only on the road ahead. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Let’s talk about some common distractions that influence drivers and how to eliminate them.

CELL PHONES
According to the National Safety Council, an estimated one in four car crashes involves cell phone use. ^[1] In the Facebook-scanning, selfie-snapping, text message-sending world we live in, mobile technology is here to stay and is becoming increasingly important in both our personal lives and at work. Texting and social media updates are not the only dangerous, distracting activities to participate in while driving. Taking phone calls also can severely distract you from the road. Drivers using cell phones look up but still fail to see an estimated 50% of their surroundings in the driving environment. ^[2]

Everyone can spot a driver using their cell while on the road. They swerve into your lane. They don’t move when the light turns green. They cruise at a leisurely 55 in the far left lane when the speed limit’s 70. However, when you are the driver distracted by your phone, you may not realize it.

There’s a simple way to avoid the hazards of cell phone use while driving. Do not make calls or text/update social media when you have taken on the task of driving. Avoid picking up your phone if it rings and you’re behind the wheel. You can call them back later! If the call is absolutely vital, pull over safely off of the road and answer. The same guidelines apply to texting and updating your social media—pull over or read/respond/post once you’ve reached your
destination.

One more thing to note on phone use while driving—hands-free is NOT risk-free. Hands-free devices such as earpieces, dashboard systems, and speakerphones do not make us safer drivers. The brain still gets distracted by conversation. In fact, hands-free talking and texting can be even more distracting and frustrating than actually using your cell while driving.

INFOTAINMENT
Music, maps, messages—nothing better than all your favorites, right at your fingertips on your smartphone-integrated dashboard infotainment center. Unfortunately, features available in dashboard infotainment centers can increase mental distraction. Dashboard technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts and emails, and post to social media—all activities proven to increase the risk of crash. ^[3]

Don’t be tempted by the convenience of your infotainment center. Select a radio station before you head out on the open road. Do not use the social media, messaging, or calling functions of the infotainment center while driving. No matter how easy your car makes it for you to access and use these favorite features, remember hands-free is not safe to use when behind the wheel.

BEHAVIOR DISTRACTIONS
Before cell phones and dashboard infotainment, there were driving distractions such as eating, loud conversations and horseplay, car radio scanning, applying makeup, and reading. These distractions are still very influential in our role as drivers today.

To avoid a dangerous driving environment, limit the number of passengers and the level of activity in the vehicle. Do not multitask behind the wheel! If you want to eat a hamburger, talk to Mom, and scan Facebook all at the same time, do it while sitting at home, not when driving.

Get settled and prepare yourself to focus solely on the road before getting in the driver’s seat. We all have a desire to stay connect and be productive. However, it is important to remain distraction-free when taking on the responsibility of driving, a task that demands our full cognitive attention. Education, policies, laws, and technology are increasingly providing a positive influence on reducing crashes and driver distraction, but the most effective preventative measure is you and the smart choices you make while behind the wheel.

SOURCES
^[1] “Distracted Driving: One Call Can Change Everything.” National Safety Council. [Online]. [Accessed 23 March 2016]. Available from: http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving.aspx.
^[2] “Understanding the Distracted Brain: Why Driving While Using Hands-Free Cell Phones is Risky Behavior.” National Safety Council. [Online]. [Accessed 23 March 2016]. Available from: <http://www.nsc.org/DistractedDrivingDocuments/Cognitive-Distraction-White-Paper.pdf>.
^[3] “April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.” National Safety Council. [Online]. [Accessed 23 March 2016]. Available from: <http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx>.

Serve up tender steak with this recipe for Boneless Strip Steaks. A rub made with garlic, thyme, lemon peel, and pepper gives the steak savory flavor; grill with baby red potatoes, pearl onions, and asparagus for an entrée worth the highest honors.

4 servings | Prep Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Boneless Strip Steaks
• 1 pound baby red-skinned potatoes, cut in half
• 3-1/2 ounces fresh pearl onions, unpeeled, cut in half
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt

RUB:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground mixed peppercorns (black, white, green and pink)

PREPARATION:

1. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature, about 30 to 45 minutes.
2. Place potatoes in microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3 minutes or until crisptender. Let stand 5 minutes to cool slightly. Thread potato halves onto 10 to 12-inch metal skewers. Thread onion halves onto separate metal skewers.
3. Combine rub ingredients; reserve 2 teaspoons for garnish. Press remaining herb mixture evenly onto beef steaks.
4. Place steaks in center of grill over medium, ash-covered coals; arrange potatoes, onions and asparagus around steaks. Grill steaks, uncovered, 15 to 18 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. Grill potatoes and onions 5 to 10 minutes (gas grill times remain the same) or until golden brown and tender; grill asparagus 6 to 10 minutes (covered, 8 to 12 minutes on gas grill) or until crisp-tender, turning occasionally.
5. Remove potatoes and onions from skewers; peel onions. Combine potatoes, onions, lemon juice, oil and lemon peel in large bowl. Toss to coat. Season with salt, as desired.
6. Carve steaks into slices. Season with salt, as desired; sprinkle with reserved herb mixture. Serve steaks with grilled vegetables.

TIPS & NOTES:

1. Corned beef can be purchased at your supermarket deli. Be sure to specify lean: it has 1 gram fat per ounce and an ounce of regular corned beef has 5 grams fat.
2. If you like the corned beef hash browned and crispy, cover and cook on low heat an additional 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until brown and crispy.

KEY TIPS FOR GRILLING ALL STEAKS:

1. Always preheat, clean and oil the grill before beginning. There are special wire brushes available for easy grill cleaning and a simple quarter-fold paper towel moistened with cooking oil (rubbed on the grill using a grill tool) work great.
2. Always start with room temperature steaks. This allows the steak to cook evenly and more quickly.
3. Never puncture the steak when turning it or to check for doneness. This allows the moisture to be retained in the steak, especially those which are seared at high heat.
4. Allow the steaks to rest 3-5 minutes before serving. This results in fewer juices lost and a more flavorful, moister steak!