Cellphone distractions tend to grab headlines for causing car accidents, but it actually comes second in the list of fatal accidents caused by distracted driving. The top spot is occupied by wandering minds (daydreaming), which is responsible for 62% of distracted driving fatalities. If you tend to get "highway hypnosis" or distracted easily, here are four things to do to prevent your mind from wandering while driving:

Keep Gum in the Glovebox

Chewing gum is a good way to stay alert and focused on a particular task at hand, such as driving. It helps by stimulating your jaw muscles and arousing your brain by implying that it is about to receive a dose of nutrients. Both of these may keep your mind from wandering and help you notice dangerous conditions on the road or avoid being a danger to others.

Keep Your Eyes Moving

A typical bout of daydreaming is characterized by a focused stare. The stare may be directed to a particular object or place, such as the centerline of the road, without actually seeing it. Therefore, a good way of preventing daydreaming is to keep your eyes rotating among the side mirrors, rear-view mirror, and front windshield. However, don't take your eyes off the road for more than a couple of seconds since that's dangerous. This tip helps because it gives both your eyes and your brain something to do and makes you more aware of your surroundings.

Take a Different Route

Taking the same route every time might lull you into a false sense of security. In fact, you may find yourself cutting corners or accelerating at some sections of the road almost unconsciously. That kind of driving, where you feel too familiar with a road to pay too much attention to it, can easily cause your mind to wander. Taking different routes may help you to stay focused on the road since you are likely to see unfamiliar objects.

Make a Game Out of the Routine

Finally, you can also keep your mind active by making a conscious effort to keep it busy. You can do this, for example, by playing a simple mind game, such as "Spot Drivers Breaking Traffic Rules." This is likely to keep you active and focused on the road.

If you do get involved in an accident, don't admit liability even if you suspect your daydreaming caused it. It might be that your daydreaming did not cause the accident or that the other driver was also at fault. Let an accident attorney, like Law Offices of Matthew L. Taylor, analyze the circumstances of the crash and advise you on the way forward.