What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted Driving is when a person operates a motor vehicle while engaging in activities that divert attention from driving tasks, such as:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Using a navigation system
- Texting or emailing
- Eating
- Adjusting hair or makeup
- Using the audio system
- Texting
What is Distracted Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Distracted driving is any activity that…takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” Studies have shown that texting while driving significantly increases the likelihood of a crash or near-crash event. The detrimental effects of distracted driving can range from minor fender-benders to severe accidents resulting in life-altering injuries or fatalities.
Understanding the risks associated with distracted driving and adopting safe driving practices can help mitigate its adverse impacts on road safety and overall public safety.
More information about Distracted Driving
Attention Labor Day travelers: 3 reasons fatal car accidents are up
Distracted driving proves to be largest cause of fatal car accident increases
As Labor Day approaches, holiday travelers are warned that fatal car accidents are on the rise this year, according to the National Safety Council. Traffic fatalities are up by 14% and injuries are up by 33%.
About 19,000 people have been killed so far this year, and that’s not including July and August, historically two of the deadliest months of the year for drivers. At this rate, deadly car accidents threaten to reach over 40,000, the highest since 2007. Why is this happening?
It seems surprising. Cars today are equipped with ever-evolving safety technology designed to make them more crash-worthy. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety continues to improve their safety rating system, developing more tests that cars must pass and higher standards they must meet in order to earn a “good” […]
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100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Start Now
Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 most dangerous for teen drivers
As the school year winds down, so begins the 100 deadliest days of the year for teen drivers. The days surrounding prom and graduation see spikes in teenage driver deaths.
If you’re 18 years old, right now might be the most exciting time of the year. If you’re a parent, it might be one of the most nerve-wracking.
Prom and graduation season is supposed to be a joyous, memorable time. It’s a celebration of lives about to truly begin. Too often, however, this is when teenagers’ lives come to a sudden end. Prom, graduation and the following summer months see a higher number of fatal teen auto accidents than any other time of the year. Teens drive more during the summer months after the school year has ended, […]
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Watch where you’re going: Distracted walking lands 1,500 people in the hospital
You’re walking down the street and almost collide with someone too engrossed in their phone screen to notice where they’re going. That same person attempts to cross the street while typing a text, and doesn’t notice a car coming around the corner.
What’s more dangerous – driving while texting, or walking while texting?
We all know that distracted driving is one of the chief dangers on the road today. While it might feel safer to text when you’re out from behind the wheel, pedestrians distracted by smartphones or listening to music through headphones account for thousands of pedestrian accidents and hospital visits each year. One study, conducted by the State University of New York at Buffalo indicates that there are more injuries per mile involving distracted pedestrians than distracted drivers.
Smartphone use has skyrocketed in the last ten years. […]
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Guest Post: Texting and Driving – It Can Wait
We are pleased to share this post from guest blogger Craig Conover, a writer from Pittsburgh, PA, with an interest in all things technology.
Despite the fact that texting and driving have been banned in the state of Pennsylvania — and 43 other states, for that matter — people are still participating in the extremely dangerous activity. So much so that the city of Erie has taken part in a no-text-and-drive campaign to drive home the message that we need to put an end to distracted driving.
According to Your Erie, the campaign mostly focuses on reducing the number of teenagers using their phones while out on the road. They reported that 32 percent of teens who own phones use them to text when they’re behind the wheel. Additionally, 13 percent of drivers aged 18 to 20 who have been in a collision admitted that they were using their phone or other mobile devices when the incident occurred. […]
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Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety Rank States in Annual Report
Pennsylvania still lacking in some driver safety laws
On January 22, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released their 12th annual “Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws” report. The report outlines the number of people killed and injured in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2013 (the latest data available), and what can be done to improve safety on our nation’s roads. Areas of focus include child passenger safety, teen drivers, impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt and helmet laws. The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of where safety laws are enforced, and issues “green” “yellow” and “red” ratings based on this. See how your state compares to the rest of the country when it comes to safety laws and traffic deaths. If you want clear, reader-friendly analysis or quick facts about car accidents where you live, […]
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