Distracted Driving

There are three main types of distractions while driving:

Visual – taking your eyes off the road

Manual – taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing

While all distractions can endanger driver and passenger safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction. 

Other distracting activities include:

• Using a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

SOURCE:  www.Distraction.gov

DISTRACTED DRIVING IS DANGEROUS

80% of crashes are related to driver inattention and the #1 source of inattention is cell phones!

•  Texting and driving can increase your risk of crashing by 23 times
•  Reaching for a cell phone while driving increases your risk of a crash by 9 times
•  Behind the wheel, one text while driving equals 4 beers which is a .08 Blood Alcohol Level = drunk driving  

•  49% of teens say texting is the biggest distraction behind the wheel 
•  The annual cost of crashes caused by cell phone use is estimated at $43 billion
•  In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver and more than a half a million were injured 
• 81% of the general public admit to talking on a cell phone or texting while driving
•  Studies reveal that hands-free offers no improvement over handheld
•  Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes