Staying safe behind the wheel should be every driver’s first priority. When you drive safely, you not only avoid costly auto repairs, but you also prevent serious injuries or fatalities on the road. The safest drivers are able to focus on the road and everything around them, but in today’s fast-paced world, there are endless distractions.

Cell phones, media players and GPS units are just a few of the diversions that take your eyes off the road. Fortunately, a number of products have been created that can help you become a safer driver, even if you’re already conscientious behind the wheel. Take a few minutes to review these simple products.

Blind Spot Mirrors

Regardless of how careful you are, blind spots can make changing lanes or turning dangerous. These blind spots exist because standard rear-view and side mirrors on cars and trucks can’t cover the entire range of space around and behind the vehicle. Generally, blind spots require the driver to either rely on their passengers to tell them when the lane beside them is clear, or they have to take their eyes off of the road ahead of them to swivel their head and look for themselves.

Blind spot mirrors eliminate this potential hazard. These extra-large mirrors fit over the standard rear-view mirror of a car or truck and provide the driver with extra visibility without taking his or her eyes off the road. The mirrors are designed so that their range overlaps with that of side mirrors, providing the driver with a clear view of everything that is beside and behind the car.

Backup Warning Systems

When backing up in a car or truck, it can be difficult to see everything that is behind you. Even if a driver watches as they back up to cover their blind spots, small objects, pets and even children can be below their field of vision. This can be especially dangerous when the individuals or animals that are in the path of the vehicle aren’t aware that the car or truck is backing up.

Backup warning systems emit an audible beep when the car is in reverse to protect pets and children. Many of these systems are completely wireless, meaning that there is no installation necessary. Just place the backup warning unit into the trunk of your car and it will automatically detect when the vehicle starts to move in reverse.

Cellular Phone Accessories

Talking on the phone while driving can be dangerous, as it requires a significant amount of concentration. This danger can be averted using devices such as the Jupiter Jack, a wireless device that allows you to use your car or truck’s stereo as speaker system for the phone. The Jupiter Jack device plugs into the headphone jack of the phone, and then you simply need to tune the car or truck’s radio to 99.3 to hear everything that the other party says with crystal clarity.

This can be combined with cellular phone mounts that hold your phone securely on your dashboard or in a cup holder to ensure that your phone stays put and that you don’t have to take your focus off the road to take an important call.

GPS Mounts

Global positioning systems, better known as GPS devices, aid drivers by giving them precise directions on how to get to any destination. Unfortunately, not all GPS devices are easy to mount in a car or truck and can be a huge distraction if they fall into the floor of the car.

A number of GPS device mounts are available that let you clip your GPS into a cup holder or attach it directly to your dashboard. Unlike the permanent mounts that come with some GPS units, these mounts are easily removed and can be transported from one vehicle to another with no difficulty.

Windshield Maintenance

Being able to see clearly while driving is vitally important. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect their windshields and the upkeep of their windshield wipers until their vision becomes extremely impaired. Windshield cleaners and revitalizers for windshield wiper blades help to prevent these vision problems. The cleaners make it easy to reach even the farthest portions of the windshield on the inside, while the revitalizers keep your blades working like brand new.

Being a safe driver keeps you and your fellow travelers out of harm’s way, and can prevent expensive visits to your auto mechanic. It’s easy to get caught up in distractions behind the wheel, but by investing in a few simple products, you can better focus on the road and avoid serious injuries and even fatalities.