According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving causes approximately 1,000 crashes each day. In fact, in the U.S., nine people die as a result of those accidents. I 2018, alone, distractions claimed 2,841 lives. This total included 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists. According to the U.S Department of Transportation (NHTSA), in the five seconds it takes to read or send a text while driving a car traveling at 55 mph, the vehicle covers the length of a football field. That is too long a distance for someone’s eyes to be off the road.
What’s Driving Us to Distraction?
Taking your eyes off the road, known as a visual distraction, is just one type of three main categories of distractions. Manual distraction refers to removing your hands from the wheel, which often leads to accidents. Finally, cognitive distraction refers to someone who is driving while their mind is elsewhere. Texting is the most dangerous distraction of all because it involves all three types of distractions.
According to research done by the University of Utah, talking on a cellphone impairs a person’s driving ability to the same degree as driving with the legal blood-alcohol limit (BAC) of 0.08%. Moreover, drivers who are texting are six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk drivers! Driving safely is impossible unless the task of driving commands the driver’s full attention. Any secondary (non-driving) activity is a potential distraction and increases the risk of crashing.
What People Try to Do while Driving
Other common distractions include using a navigation system, changing a radio station, and eating. You might be surprised to learn what policemen have caught some people doing while behind the wheel of their cars: applying makeup, getting dressed, changing diapers, arguing, playing fetch with their dog and styling their hair.
How to Eliminate Distracted Driving
Taking your mind off the road for even three seconds is the average for any road accident to occur. Therefore, preventing distractions requires that mobile phones be completely put away while driving.
- Texting while driving has been banned in 47 states since March 2019, and 16 states have banned the use of hand-held phones.
- Of all the accidents involving teenagers, 21% were using a mobile phone at the time. Statistics also show that 25% of teens respond to at least one text message while driving, even though they know it is wrong.
- Shockingly, in a survey, 10% of adults and 20% of teenagers admitted to having entire text conversations while driving.
- Don’t let your kids tell you they can manage texting while driving more easily than others. The University of Utah reports that the reaction time of a teen using a cellphone does not change from the reaction time of a 70-year-old using a mobile phone.
Does Awareness Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents?
Of the 84% of drivers who recognize the danger of distraction from cellphone usage, 36% admit that they read or send texts while driving. Perhaps awareness is not as good as a deterrent as law enforcement. Knowing it’s wrong isn’t enough. Pledge now to focus on driving while you’re behind the wheel.
About DG Collision Center in Covina, California
If your car has been damaged in a collision caused by a distracted driver, or even if you were the distracted one, DG Collision Center in Covina, California, can repair it for you. We are your one-stop-shop in Covina for auto body repair after car accidents and auto restorations. Our highly trained team includes specialized technicians. We work directly with all insurance companies. This enables our customers to file a claim without even needing to be present. Additionally, if you don’t want to leave your home in Covina right after the accident, you can request an online estimate for auto body repairs or any other auto restorations. We have a smartphone app that allows us to provide estimates without coming to your home or place of business. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service.