Tips to avoid distracted driving Use any of these tips to avoid distracted driving and its penalties: turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode before you get in the car put it in the glove compartment (lock it, if you have to) or in a bag on the back seat before you leave the house, record an outgoing message that tells callers you’re driving and you’ll get back to them when you’re off the road some apps can block incoming calls and texts, or send automatic replies to people trying to call or text you ask a passenger to take a call or respond to a text for you if you must respond, or have to make a call or send a text, carefully pull over to a safe area silence notifications that tempt you to check your phone