Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Apr 12, 2022
Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways, and April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
The four types of distractions are…
Visual – looking at something other than the road.
Auditory – hearing something not related to driving.
Manual – manipulating something other than the steering wheel.
Cognitive – thinking about something other than driving.
43 states have banned texting while driving.
But more than 3,000 lives per year are lost and hundreds of thousands are injured in distracted driving crashes.
This is a hot topic that affects both our professional and personal lives. Who is most at risk for distracted driving? According to the CDC, in the U.S. 2018: Twenty-five percent of the distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were young adults aged 20–29. Drivers aged 15-19 were more likely to be distracted than drivers aged 20 and older, among drivers in crashes where someone died.
People who use their cell phones to talk or text while driving is by far the most common reason for distracted driving accidents. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that 26% of all car crashes involve cell phones.
So what can you do in order to help keep your attention on the road?
1. Stop using cell phones while driving
2. Recognize that hands-free devices offer no safety benefit
3. Understand the dangers of cognitive distraction to the brain.
4. Tell others about the dangers of cell phone distracted driving. Especially if you’re a passenger and the driver is busy using their phone.
Going a few hours without checking your cell phone isn’t going to kill you, but answering a call or text while driving just might
Until next time, stay positive and stay safe.
More Resources about Distracted Driving
Center for Disease Control (CDC): Distracted Driving HERE
National Today: Distracted Driving Awareness Month – April 2022 HERE
