Yelling at the kids, putting on make-up, munching on a snack and talking on the phone – these are all common things many of us do every single day. But if you do these things while trying to maintain control of a 2,000 pound vehicle it can quickly become problematic. Distracted driving puts you, your passengers, and fellow drivers at a significantly greater risk of an accident.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that 3,154 Americans were killed in 2013 because of this type of driving. Similarly, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than nine people are killed every day due to problems caused by erratic and distracted driving. This epidemic is increasing rapidly and it’s easily preventable.
Three Types of Distracted Driving
When understanding distracted driving, it is important to consider the three different types:
1. Visual: Taking your eyes of the road.
2. Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel.
3. Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving.
Common everyday activities like texting, talking on the phone, and eating food, have all been found to be major distractions to drivers. Texting could possibly be the worst distraction because it simultaneously involves visual, manual and cognitive distractions.
In 2011 the CDC performed a study on distracted driving involving talking on the phone and texting. The study concluded that 69 percent of U.S. drivers between 18 and 64 years of age reported talking on a cellphone while driving within the last 30 days. Thirty-one percent also reported to have sent or read a text message while driving in the last 30 days.
While this is something that affects people of all ages, it is most serious for teens and young adults. The younger the driver, the less experience they have driving, especially in certain weather conditions or traffic situations. Combine bad weather, texting and young drivers, and the outcome may not be favorable.
There are ways to reduce accidents and injuries caused by distracted driving. Currently many states are enacting laws to ban texting while driving. There are also national and local efforts to raise awareness about the risks associated with distracted driving. While there have been numerous federal laws enacted to help reduce distracted driving for state employees, nothing has come out to address the risk of distracted driving for the entire U.S. population.
Just because federal laws have not mandated that drivers put down the phone, it’s important to be aware of the very real risks posed by driving with distractions. Even minor fender benders are stressful and inconvenient, and the dangers posed by more serious car accidents can be life or death.
Focus on driving as much as possible whenever you are behind the wheel. And ideally, if you have to talk or eat while you are in the car, consider taking a few minutes to pull over and enjoy peace of mind while making your call or having your lunch.