Passenger distractions are one of the common causes of car crashes. Therefore, every driver should be schooled in the art of reducing these distractions. Use these tips to minimize distractions from your passenger whenever you are driving:

Limit Driver-Passenger Interaction

The more you interact with your passengers, the more you will be distracted from your main job—safe driving. Inform your passengers that you will not be taking any requests to adjust the radio, to hand over things (such as phones), or to join in word games. This doesn't mean that you have to be perfectly quiet; you can still talk when you have something important to say, but keep the conversation to a minimum.

Delegate Duties

Some tasks will inevitably come up while you are driving. For example, if you have a baby passenger, they may require an intervention when they spill something on themselves or insert an object in their mouth. You may also need to change the radio channel, check the map, or charge your phones. Let your passengers know from the outset that you will not engage in any of those tasks. The passengers can even distribute the tasks among themselves so that you only deal with driving.

Avoid Emotional Topics

Getting angry or overexcited can also make you a dangerous driver. Therefore, you need to avoid topics that may lead to such emotions. Small talk is okay, but you should avoid weighty issues until you get to your destination. If a passenger starts talking about an emotional topic, do your best to end the conversation. Don't be afraid to let your passengers know that they are distracting you.

Minimize the Number of Passengers

The last piece of advice is to limit the number of passengers in your car. The more passengers you have, the higher the chance that something may go wrong and that the passengers will distract you. For example, they may start arguing about which radio channel to listen to or how to set the AC. This is especially true if you are a young driver and your passengers are your peers.

Hopefully, the above precautions will help you avoid passenger distractions and arrive at your destination safely. If you do get into an accident, however, don't admit liability even if you think passenger distraction caused the accident. Admitting liability will make it more difficult for your attorney to get you the compensation you deserve, even if it turns out that you weren't at fault after all.

For more information about what to do if you are in an accident, contact a personal-injury attorney such as one at Speers Reuland & Cibulskis, P.C.