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 distracted driving such a dangerous problem?
Distracted driving is
any activity that could divert your attention away from the main task of driving
. In 2016, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 21% of fatal collisions according to data from Transport Canada's National Collision Database.
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).
Why is it bad to text and drive?
Of all the activities associated with distracted driving,
sending text messages is the most dangerous
. A person is 23 times more likely to have a motor vehicle crash while sending a text message than if they were only driving. That number towers over the other activities associated with distracted driving.
Why is reducing distracted driving important?
A multi-faceted approach is important when addressing distracted driving. …
About nine people die each day as a result of distracted driving
. Another 1,000 injuries occur per day in accidents that reportedly involve a distracted driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Who is most at risk of distracted driving?
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's the most dangerous time to drive?
The Most Dangerous Time of the Day to Drive
The most dangerous time of the day on the road is the
two hours from 5 pm to 7 pm
. During evening rush hour, the roads are congested. Commuters who are tired after working all day and want to get home as soon as possible make the road a dangerous place.
How many deaths are caused by texting and driving in 2020?
Quick Texting and Driving Statistics – 2020 (Editor's Pick) Driving while texting causes
1.6 million
car accidents in the US every year.
How common are distracted driving accidents?
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
1 out of every 4 car accidents
in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
How many deaths from texting and driving 2019?
Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2019,
3,142 people
were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
Why you shouldnt use your phone while driving?
Using a cell phone while driving
increases the driver's risk of causing a crash
. Drivers are distracted, decreasing the driver's awareness on the road, leading to more car crashes. … One out of every four automobile crashes in the United States are caused by texting while driving.
Why texting while driving should be banned?
Texting and driving makes
a crash up to 23 times more likely
. According to a recent study, distracted driving is six times more dangerous than drunk driving. Play it safe and make sure you're on the right side of the law. Eliminate as many distractions as possible when you drive.
When driving with your cell phone you should?
In California,
you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it
in your hand. You can only use it in a hands-free manner, such as speaker phone or voice commands, but never while holding it. Any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone for any reason.
How can distracted driving be reduced?
- 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 are the causes of distracted driving?
- Talking and texting. …
- GPS. …
- Adjusting music or controls. …
- Applying makeup. …
- Talking to passengers. …
- Not looking at the road. …
- Handling children or pets. …
- Zoning out.
How can you prevent distracted driving?
- Switching phones to Do Not Disturb. Being the most common form of driver distraction, minimising the temptation to reach for your phone is key to reducing instances of distracted driving. …
- Enforce a distracted driving policy. …
- Implement an integrated driver behaviour management system.
