Nine people are killed daily, and over 1,000 are injured in car crashes involving distracted drivers. Almost 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some driver inattention.
Any action that diverts a driver’s attention from the road constitutes distracted driving. This can include anything from talking to passengers, adjusting the radio, personal grooming, and eating.
Texting
One of the most common cause of a collision is texting, which can result in fatal crashes. According to experts, 1.6 million accidents occur yearly because of people on their cell phones, resulting in more than 500,000 injuries and over 6,000 deaths.
Even when it is safe to use a phone, texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of six seconds. You may go at 55 mph, the length of a football field, in that brief period.
It’s important to let your friends know that you will not answer texts while they are driving and to ask them to do the same for you. If you see a driver who seems to be a hazard, try to get a group of people together and boycott their rides until they stop using their phone while driving. You could also talk to them about their habits; perhaps they will make a safer choice.
Talking to Passengers
The heavy focus on distracted driving involving cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) seems justified, but any activity that takes your mind off the road is dangerous. Texting, dialing, Googling, changing the song on your stereo, even putting on chapstick, or swatting a fly can all distract you from safely getting from Point A to B.
Research shows that contentious arguments between drivers and passengers significantly impair driving performance. Drivers often become defensive and less careful when they are involved in a fight with a passenger. In addition, researchers have found that talking to a passenger has similar effect sizes for reaction time, stimulus detection, and lane positioning as using a handheld or hands-free cell phone while driving.
Passengers may also interfere with driving by offering directional assistance, a significant cognitive distraction. This is particularly true for adolescent passengers, who are less aware of the dangers of distracted driving and may take the driver’s attention off the road in an attempt to help.
Emotions
While we all know that texting and eating are dangerous while driving, it’s less common to hear about the dangers of emotional distraction. However, according to Tech Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers, feeling powerful emotions while behind the wheel can be just as risky as doing those other activities. Drivers who are visibly sad, angry, or agitated have a tenfold higher chance of being involved in a crash than other drivers.
Emotions can cause drivers to make bad judgment calls and miss hazards that typically raise a red flag. If you have a stressful day at work or a fight with your partner, it’s best to pull over and regain control of yourself before getting behind the wheel. Taking deep breaths and listening to calm music can help you relax and return to your routine and safe driving abilities. The safety of you and others on the road is worth it.
Bad Weather
Bad weather while driving can be hazardous. Rain, ice, and snow can cause your visibility to become limited, leading to collisions. Driving slower and allowing for much greater distance between you and other cars can reduce your risk of accident, injury, or death if an inclement weather event occurs.
Many other behaviors can distract you while driving, including eating and drinking, fiddling with the stereo or entertainment system, and changing the radio station. These actions can also lead to distracted driving accidents. Cognitive distractions like rubbernecking at an accident or daydreaming can take your mind off the road. Manual distractions involve taking your hands off the steering wheel, including adjusting the thermostat or reaching into the backseat. Texting is by far the most deadly form of distracted driving. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds — at 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field blind.