Is Distracted Driving really a problem?
Distractions occur whenever you take your eyes off of the road. There are many driver distractions such as visual, cognitive, and manual distractions which lead to auto accidents every day.
- Eyes off the road (visual)
- Mind off the road (cognitive)
- Hands off the steering wheel (manual)
Driver distractions are the leading cause of most automobile crashes according to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nearly 80% of car crashes and 65% of near car crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes are:
- Cell phone use- Texting
- Eating or Drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading including texts, and maps
- Using navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting radio, cd player, or Mp3 player
Since text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from a driver, it is by far the most devastating distraction. According to www.distraction.gov (a U.S website for distracted drivers) in 2011, 3,331 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010. An additional, 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver.