You are driving along and decide it is high time to change the channel on the radio. Without thinking, you look down to get the job done. By the time you look up, it is too late to stop yourself from hitting the rear end of the car in front of you.

This is another case of distracted driving and it is fast becoming one of the biggest causes of accidents on America’s roadways. CD players, eating, drinking, talking and cell phones are among the biggest causes of distraction. Fighting back against the odds and still being able to enjoy a few creature comforts in a vehicle is possible. While it is always best to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on wheel at all times, these gadgets can keep some distractions at a minimum:

Hands-free cell phone set ups – Cell phone users are four times more likely to get in serious crashes than those who never talk on the phone while driving, according to the U.S. government. Hands-free devices won’t remove the risk entirely, but they can lessen the overall impact of the distraction.

Steering wheel station changers – Newer vehicles that have built-in controls in the steering wheels can be lifesavers for keeping this distraction at bay.

MP3 player docking stations – Any station that enables an MP3 player to function through a car’s stereo system or even independent speakers can prevent drivers from caving to temptation and wearing their ear buds. When driving, hearing is a sense that is almost as important as sight.

Reducing distractions behind the wheel is an excellent way to lower the chances of getting into a crash. Any tool or device that can help keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel is worth considering.