Nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured every day in distracted driving crashes, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Anything that takes attention away from driving can be a distraction, including handheld and hands-free phone use (texting, talking, social media), adjusting the radio or GPS, built-in vehicle touchscreens, eating, drinking, or even passengers, according to National Highway Safety. As April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it is crucial to be aware of the importance of safe and focused driving.
You hear your phone ding and you take your eyes off the road to grab it from the center console. Seems quick and simple, but those few seconds when your eyes are off the road could have deadly consequences.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), five distracted seconds at the speed of 55 mph is the same as driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Anything that takes attention away from driving can be a distraction. There are three types of distractions drivers are at risk of while behind the wheel of a car.
- Visual distractions take your eyes off the road,
- Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel, and
- Cognitive distractions take your mind off driving.
All of these distractions can endanger you, your passengers and others on the road.
Tips to alleviate distracted driving:
- Phones down – to stay safe, the best practice is to put your phone away (i.e. in the trunk, glove box, or back seat) while driving.
- Use technology – use smartphone features such as “Do Not Disturb” or Bluetooth.
- Plan ahead – plan your route and your playlist before you start driving.
- Pull over and park – find a safe location to send a text or make a call.
- Designate a passenger as your “designated texter”.
Check out the National Safety Council’s resources to learn more about distracted driving crashes and how to prevent them.
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