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Distracted Driving

A distraction is anything that takes your mind and attention away from driving.

There are three main types of distraction (1):

  1. Visual — taking your eyes off the road
  2. Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
  3. Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

DID YOU KNOW…

  • In 2018, there were 2841 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving across the nation, 51 of which were people ages 18-24 in Texas (2).
  • Handheld cell phone use continues to be higher among female drivers than male drivers (3).
  • Since 2007, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed manipulating electronic devices at higher rates than older drivers (3).

Cell Phones are a distraction

  • Cell phone use while driving is highest among 16-24 year old drivers and female drivers using a cell phone are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than male drivers (4).
  • Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves (5).
  • Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times (5).
  • Texting and driving causes reaction time to double and those drivers have a harder time staying in their lane and maintaining a consistent speed (6).

Passengers are a distraction

  • Nearly two out of every four youth that died as passengers are in vehicles driven by other teens (8).
  • In 2019, 57 percent of the deaths of teenage passengers in passenger vehicles occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. (7)
  • Research has shown that crash risk and risk of being killed in a crash increases as the number of young passengers in the vehicle increases (8).

How to Stop Distracted Driving

  • Focus on the road. When you are driving is not the time to multi-task.
  • Keep distractions out of the car. If you know you will be tempted to look at or use your phone, lock it in the trunk or turn it off.
  • Ask passengers to obey your rules while they are in the car, meaning buckle up and don’t distract you.
  • Designate a texter. If you have a passenger, hand over your phone so they can do your texting or talking for you.
  • Be a good passenger by not distracting the driver.
  • Know that as a driver, you have the responsibility to yourself and others. A vehicle is heavy machine and should be treated with respect.
  • Set your music/radio before you take your car out of Park.
  • Never use headphones while driving. It’s illegal and dangerous.
  • Keep passengers to a minimum. If every person doesn’t have a seat belt, you have too many passengers.
  • If you don’t feel well or emotionally able to drive – don’t. Ask for a ride or wait until you are able.
  • Know your limitations. Driving experience comes with time. It’s ok to not be ready for certain driving conditions. Never feel pressured to drive dangerously or beyond your experience.

Sources:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html
  2. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS): 2004-2017 Final File and 2018 Annual Report File (ARF); Report Generated: Monday, August 3, 2020
  3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Distracted Driving 2018. DOT HS 812 926. April 2020. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812926
  4. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2015
  5. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  6. Texas A&M Transportation Institute
  7. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2019. https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/teenagers#passenger-vehicle-occupants 
  8. Ouimet MC, Pradhan AK, Brooks-Russell A, Ehsani JP, Berviche D, Simons-Morton BG. Young drivers and their passengers: a systematic review of epidemiological studies on crash risk. 2015. Journal of Adolescent Health 57 (1 Suppl):S24-35.

Updated July 2021

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