Distracting Driving Dangers

You may already know the danger of using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, but distracted driving is defined as anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off driving.

Other common driving distractions include:

• adjusting the music
• eating and drinking
• grooming or putting on makeup
• interacting with other passengers
• texting

Young and inexperienced drivers are the most likely to be involved in a distracted driving accident, but no drivers are immune to the dangers. In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in accidents related to distracted driving and 660,000 drivers at any given moment are using a cell phone while driving. Studies have shown that texting while driving impairs your ability to drive as much as — or even worse than — being drunk behind the wheel.

Thankfully, distracted driving accidents are completely preventable. If you have a new driver in your family, talk about the risks of all forms of distracted driving, not just texting or talking on the phone. 50% of high schoolers age 16 or older text or email while driving and 10% of all drivers younger than age 20 who were involved in a fatal crash were distracted at the time of the accident.

Encourage everyone in your family to leave their smartphones in the glove compartment or another inaccessible place to avoid the temptation to check while on the road. Don't be afraid to call out distracted drivers who are putting you and others danger. The average text is read in 4.6 seconds. Driving at 55 miles per hour, five seconds of driving is equal to 100 yards, nearly the length of a football field. Offer to read or send a text for him, or suggest she pull over to make a phone call.

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