Check out these tips from NASCAR star Erik Jones, who drives the No. 43 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Richard Petty Motorsports, courtesy of Richard Petty Motorsports partner BASF.

• Don’t answer your phone or check messages while driving. Better yet, turn these devices off when you get into your car or put them in the console
• Hands-free technology doesn’t mean accident free – talking on the phone is still a distraction from the road
• Never text and drive! Texting takes your eyes and mind off the road and your hands off the wheel.
• Deal with distractions such as eating, putting on make-up, reading, combing your hair and checking messages before you hit the road.
• Be well rested before getting behind the wheel. If you are out late or too tired to drive home, sleep over or call Uber.
• Ensure you have clear directions to your destination and check them before you leave. Listen to your GPS device; don’t look at it.
• Adjust the seat, headrest, seatbelt, rear-view mirror, climate control, radio, etc. to your liking before you drive – and if you’re driving a rental car, make sure you’re familiar with all the controls in advance.
• Pull over if you need to make a call, check a message, deal with passengers, eat or drink.
• Tell everyone that for safety reasons, you no longer answer calls or respond to messages while driving.
• Ask passengers to keep chatter to a minimum and help you navigate.
• For young drivers, remind friends that safety comes first – no selfies in the car, seatbelts always in use and no distracting the driver.
• Install an app on their phone that block texts and phone calls when you are behind the wheel.