American roads aren’t in great condition. In fact, our roads received a “D” average in a report published by the American Society Of Civil Engineers. When our roads are falling apart, it’s more important than ever to drive safely.
Unfortunately, many drivers regularly engage in incredibly unsafe driving habits. Distracted driving is a rising problem across the country. A record number of drivers aren’t paying attention behind the wheel. As a result, more Americans are getting into car accidents every year.
When you drive, you have a responsibility to use care and caution. Accidents are much more likely to occur when you divert your attention from the road. Distracted driving practices put everyone in harm’s way, including other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In order to make our roads safe, all drivers must pledge to avoid distractions and focus on getting to their destinations safely.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving can be defined as any behavior that takes your focus away from the road while operating a motor vehicle. Distracted driving behaviors can be classified into one of three categories: manual, visual, and cognitive.
Manual Distracted Driving: Removing your hands from the wheel while operating a motor vehicle.
Visual Distracted Driving: Diverting your eyes from the road while operating vehicle.
Cognitive Distracted Driving: Focusing your attention on something other than driving.
Examples of distracted driving include:
- Using a cell phone
- Talking to passengers
- Playing with the car radio, CD player, or tape deck
- Eating
- Drinking
- Reading
- Using a GPS or navigation system, and
- Grooming.
In recent years, distracted driving has become particularly problematic due to advances in technology. Years ago, few people, if any, had access to a cell phone. Today, it’s estimated that 95 percent of Americans own a cell phone. If you have a phone, chances are you take it with you almost everywhere, including the car.
As more Americans have gotten cell phones – and smartphones, in particular – the rate of car accidents across the country has skyrocketed.
How Distractions Affect Your Ability to Drive Safely
Driving is an inherently dangerous activity. It’s critical for all drivers to dedicate their full attention to the road and their surroundings. Diverting your eyes or focus from the road, even briefly, significantly increases the likelihood of an accident.
Researchers have investigated the dangers of distracted driving. Studies have shown:
- Texting requires drivers to look away from the road for anywhere between 4.6 and 5 seconds. At 55 MPH, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
- Hands-free devices can divert a driver’s attention for up to 27 seconds.
- Eating increases the risk of an accident by as much as 80 percent.
- Drivers who are upset or emotionally distracted are 10 times more likely than others to get into an accident.
- Accidents are 9 times more likely to occur when a driver reaches into the backseat to grab something.
- Small children can increase the risk of an accident. Parents divert their attention from the road for an average of 3 minutes and 22 seconds during a 16-minute car ride with young children.
- Drivers who text are 23 times more likely than others to get into an accident.
- Texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving.
How Distractions Affect Your Ability to Drive Safely
Taking your eyes off the road, even for a matter of seconds, is dangerous. When you’re not watching the road, you’re more likely to:
- Miss traffic safety signs
- Run a stop sign or red light
- Lose control of your vehicle
- Drift into other lanes of traffic
- Strike debris or hazards in the road, and
- Fail to see bicyclists and pedestrians.
The longer you divert your attention from the road, the greater the risk of causing serious injury or death.