April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a driver's attention aware from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety.
Common types of distractions include
- Texting - reading, typing or speaking
- Using cell phones - for calls and apps
- Talking to passengers
- Reading, including maps
- Interacting with navigation system
- Adjusting dashboard controls
- Eating and drinking
- Stress or fatigue
- Smoking, including e-Cigs
- Extended looks in mirrors
- Looking at traffic spectacles
- Adjusting radio/CD/MP3 player controls
Any of these actions can draw your attention just long enough to create a dangerous driving situation - or prevent you from avoiding one.
Multi-Tasking is a Myth
When performing two or more complex thinking tasks, your brain will actually switch back and forth between the tasks. Driving and cell phone conversations both require a great deal of thought, meaning there are moments on the phone when you aren't focusing on driving at all.
Distractions while driving cause delayed braking times and not seeing traffic signals, very often resulting in accidents.
Other Important Numbers and Facts about Distracted Driving
- $162
- First offense cell phone ticket ($282 for second offense)
- #1
- Cause of workplace deaths in the United States
- 4
- Times more likely to have an accident when driving distracted
- 9
- People killed each day in the U.S.
- $75,000
- Average cost to an employer (injury crash caused by distracted driving)
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