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
Are you a distracted driver?
Distracted driving leads to crashes
Statistics show that traffic fatalities are on the rise. Distracted driving is a contributing factor in many car and truck accidents. In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 injured in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the Department of Transportation. A driver who texts or uses another device while driving is making a dangerous, possibly deadly choice.
Are you a distracted driver?
If you don’t text and drive, that’s great! That one simple choice can help make the roads safer for everyone and keep you out of harm’s way. But, what about other distractions?
Distracted driving is considered any activity that takes attention away from driving. This not only includes texting or talking on your phone but using other devices as well, such as programming your GPS while driving or browsing through radio stations. […]
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Apple’s iOS 11 Includes “Do Not Disturb While Driving”
New iPhone feature “Do Not Disturb” helps you be a better driver
This week at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, Apple introduced its new operating system, iOS 11, available this fall. Among the many new features, there’s one we’re particularly excited about. The “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature can detect when you’re driving, and silence notifications and disable certain apps that may tempt you to look at your phone.
Here’s how it works
When the phone is connected to your car via Bluetooth or a cable, it detects that the car is moving, turning on the feature will mute notifications, texts, and updates and lock your phone screen to deter you from using unnecessary apps behind the wheel. If you still have anxiety about letting calls and messages go unanswered, you can set up an auto-reply for your favorite contacts. […]
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Study: US drivers use a smartphone behind the wheel 90% of the time
Largest distracted driving study shows American drivers use a smartphone nearly every trip
A new report from ZenDrive found nearly 9 in 10 drivers used their phones while driving. It’s a startling statistic, but not hard to believe.
ZenDrive is a driving data and analytics company that uses smartphone sensors to collect information about driving behavior and safety. Theirs is the largest distracted driving behavior study to date. They analyzed 3 million drivers over 3 months, for more than 5 billion miles. Instead of relying on self-reporting, ZenDrive tapped into phones’ sensors to determine usage. They found that in 88% of the trips analyzed, the driver used a smartphone.
The study also ranks U.S. states by their level of distraction, mile for mile. With 1 being the least distracted and 51 being the most, Pennsylvania came in at #33. […]
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Report of State Safety Laws: PA Gets Failing Grade
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety have released their annual report card of state safety laws. The report highlights 15 recommended laws regarding occupant protection (seatbelt use, motorcycle helmets) impaired and distracted driving, teen drivers (graduated licensing and age-based restrictions), and child passenger safety.
Best and Worst States for Traffic Safety
The report granted states a green (best), yellow, or red (worst) rating, based on their adoption of recommended optimal traffic safety laws. This year, in a record low, only five states earned a green rating:
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- Washington
- Louisiana
- Oregon
- District of Columbia
Seventeen states were assigned a red rating. The five worst:
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
- Arizona
- Missouri
- Montana
Pennsylvania’s Safety Laws Need Improvement
So how did PA do? […]
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Feds Urge Smartphone Makers to Help Fight Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) faces an uphill battle against distracted driving. Deadly car accidents are on the rise, and electronic distractions – apps, social media, and texting behind the wheel – are to blame.
Car accident fatalities are at their highest since 2009, and 2016 has seen a nearly 10% jump over last year. Insurance companies and safety experts point to driver distraction as the most likely culprit. And it’s easy to see why. In a world where we are almost never disconnected from our phones, many smartphone apps are practically designed for use while driving. To see what an epidemic distracted driving has become, simply look to your left or right when stuck at a traffic light, observes Nick Kurczewski at Cars.com. You will more than likely see one of your fellow drivers looking down at their phone. […]
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