What You Need to Know About Distracted Driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which is a time to raise awareness of an issue that injures more than 700 people a day. In 2018 alone, distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Whether you drive for a living or find yourself on the road during the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, driving safely is important for protecting the lives of everyone on the road. Continue reading to learn more about distracted driving statistics and important facts:

There are 3 Classifications of Distracted Driving Behavior

Any action that takes attention away from driving is considered a distracting behavior. Behaviors can be further classified into three types of distraction:

• Visual: taking your eyes off of the road
• Manual: taking your hands off of the wheel
• Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving

There Can be Severe Consequences

In some states, texting while driving can result in misdemeanor charges. If a driver distraction resulted in bodily injury or death to another driver in a collision, jail or prison time could be the result.

For some driving-related professions, such as commercial truck drivers, there are additional penalties beyond civil tickets for distracted driving behaviors. This is especially true if truckers are transporting hazardous materials. Oftentimes penalties are severe because “large trucks are harder to control, stop, and handle,” note truck accident lawyers at Manchin Injury Law Group, “truckers can cause serious accidents if they become distracted.”

Teens Drivers are Most At-Risk

In 2017, a survey by the Journal of Adolescent Health reported nearly 40% of high school students reported texting or emailing while driving within the past month. Data from the same year showed 9% of all teen motor vehicle crash deaths involved distracted driving. Combine distracted driving with driver inexperience and the rate of a car collision can significantly increase.

Texting is the Most Frightening Distraction

While other distracted driving behaviors may divert your attention, texting encompasses all three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. The NHTSA states that reading a text takes your eye off of the road for roughly 5 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s similar to driving the length of a football field with your eyes not on the road.

There are A Lot of Distracted Driving Behaviors

Distracted driving encompasses a lot more activities than you might initially think. Of course texting, answering emails, and eating are distracted behaviors, but did you know the following are also considered distracted driving behaviors?

• Daydreaming
• Driving while fatigued
• Having pets in the car
• Playing music loudly
• Turning your head to talk to children or fellow passengers
• Applying makeup or skincare products
• Grooming
• Having earpods or headphones in

You Can Help Fight Distracted Driving

You can combat distracted driving both when you are driving and also when you are a passenger. If you see something, say something. Holding a driver responsible can help prevent a serious or fatal crash. Whether an Uber driver, a friend, a parent, or a child, if your driver is engaging in distracted behavior, you have the power to say something.

Staying Focused on the Road

As we continue further into April, consider taking additional precautions to prevent distracted driving on the road. With the current anxiety and fear surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever is the time to give your full attention when driving.

As a driver, it is imperative you dedicate your full attention and time to the road to protect everyone, including yourself. Focusing solely on the road can not only improve your safety, but the safety of fellow drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.