Distracted Driving Awareness Month FAQs
What are the four types of distractions while driving?
The four types of distractions are Visual – looking at something other than the road. Auditory – hearing something not related to driving. Manual – manipulating something other than the steering wheel. And Cognitive – thinking about something other than driving.
How common are distracted driving accidents?
Each day in the United States, approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.
What are the dangers of distracted driving?
Whether you take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel, all types of distracted driving increase your risk of car crashes, major injuries, and even death.
5 Facts You Should Know Before Texting and Driving
- You’re at a huge risk
Text messaging increases the risk of crash or near-crash by 23 times.
- Teens are at a huge risk
The fatal crash rate for teens is 3 times greater than for drivers age 20 and over
- Teens are not better at texting
Driver distraction is responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes.
- Most people are hazards
Over 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous behavior while driving, such as changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails, or even shaving.
- 5 seconds is a long time
Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, long enough to cover a football field while driving at 55 mph
Why Distracted Driving Awareness Month is Important
- Texting and swerving
People who text and drive statistically spend 10% of their time on the road outside their lane. Yikes.
- It’s illegal
43 of America’s 50 states have laws prohibiting texting and driving. South Dakota, New Mexico, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri have laws regulating it. Arizona just extended their reckless driving laws to cover texting.
- Texting is worse than drunk driving
Texters are six times more likely to wreck their car than drivers over the legal drinking limit. How horrifying is that? Answer: Very.
Source https://nationaltoday.com/distracted-driving-awareness-month/