Distractions take a motorist's attention off driving , which can make a driver miss critical events, objects, and cues or abandon control of a vehicle, all potentially leading to a crash. Distracted drivers put not only themselves at risk, but everyone else using the road.
Why is texting and driving so dangerous?
Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk . Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. ... Texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road. Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.
What are the effects of distracted driving?
Distracted driving is a leading cause of death and personal injury accidents in the U.S. In 2016 alone, distracted driving was responsible for 3,477 deaths and an estimated additional 391,000 car accident injuries, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Is distracted driving the number one killer?
Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that speeding was a factor in 32% of fatal teen driving accidents. Drunk driving was the second-highest cause of fatal accidents at 16%, and distracted driving was the third at 10% .
What is the most dangerous form of distracted driving?
Texting , which includes messaging, is considered the most dangerous type of distracted driving because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distraction.
How many deaths are caused by texting and driving in 2021?
Texting and driving deaths per year
About 400 fatal crashes happen each year as a direct result of texting and driving.
What age group has the most distracted drivers?
Who is most at risk for distracted driving? In the U.S. in 2018: Twenty-five percent of the distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were young adults aged 20–29. Drivers aged 15-19 were more likely to be distracted than drivers aged 20 and older, among drivers in crashes where someone died.
What are the 4 types of distractions while driving?
- Visual – looking at something other than the road.
- Auditory – hearing something not related to driving.
- Manual – manipulating something other than the steering wheel.
- Cognitive – thinking about something other than driving.
How can we prevent distracted driving?
- Use your cell phone for emergency situations only. ...
- If you are drowsy, pull off the road. ...
- You should limit the number of passengers, as well as the level of activity inside the car. ...
- Avoid eating while driving. ...
- Do your multi-tasking outside the car.
What is the #1 killer on roadways?
If you are currently a member of Generation Z, this is what you are at greatest risk of dying from: road traffic injuries . That's because according to the 2018 Global Status on Road Safety from the World Health Organization (WHO), such injuries constitute the number one killer of those who are five to 29 years old.
What is the number 1 killer of teenage drivers?
Washington, D.C. – More teens die in motor vehicle crashes than from any other cause of death, about 2,500 per year. Fatalities are split almost equally between teen drivers (56 percent) and passengers (44 percent).
What's the most difficult part of expressway driving?
Passing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can attempt. High speed passing on expressways adds to the danger and a high volume of traffic on expressways increases the chances of collisions. This being said, it is still safer to pass on an expressway than a two-lane roadway.
What is Maggie's Law?
Maggie's Law states that a sleep-deprived driver qualifies as a reckless driver who can be convicted of vehicular homicide . ... Maggie's Law defines fatigue as being without sleep for more than 24 consecutive hours and makes driving while fatigued a criminal offense.
What is the most common cause of distracted driving?
Talking and texting. People who use their cell phones to talk or text while driving are by far the most common reason for distracted driving accidents. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that 26% of all car crashes involve cell phones.
What distracted driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving , including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.
What age group texts and drives the most?
The Pew report on distracted driving does show, however, that young adults (ages 18 to 34) are the most likely to text and drive, by far (59 percent). More than a quarter of U.S. adults (27 percent) admit to texting while behind the wheel, Pew reports. Texting teens posted almost identical numbers (26 percent).
