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Drivers who use handheld devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The focus seems to be on young drivers, but adult drivers are not exempt from driving distracted. Allowing distractions while operating a motor vehicle increases the risk of crashing. In addition to using a cell phone or PDA, there are various activities that involve three primary types of distractions.
Primary Driving Distractions
Taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds is a visual distraction that can result in tragedy. This common action occurs when sightseeing, changing the radio station or reading.
Removing your hands from the steering wheel is a manual distraction that often occurs while eating or drinking, applying makeup, answering an incoming call from your cell phone, or checking out an attractive gal or guy.
Withdrawing your mind from what you are doing is a distraction of cognition. Interruptions of mental process can affect awareness, reasoning and judgment. This may happen when carrying a conversation with passengers, an emotional upset such as an argument, or daydreaming.
Other distractions include watching videos, using a navigation system, using a laptop and operating CD or mp3 systems. These distractions can happen to drivers of all ages. Laws are in place to prevent the use of handheld cell phones, allowing law enforcement to issue a traffic ticket even if there is no other offense taking place.
Ending distracted driving is the goal of various local, state and federal organizations. In addition, employers, community groups, schools and parents are among the efforts to educate the public on the risks of this deadly behavior.
They are promoting safety by:
• Forbidding teenagers from using cell phones while driving
• Working with advocacy groups to promote banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving
• Requesting loved ones and friends not to use their handheld devices when driving
• Making a conscious effort to not practice behaviors of distracted drivers
According to Pew Research (2011), 47 percent of adults that use text messaging say they have read or sent text messages when behind the wheel. Safety facts, studies, surveys, profiles, comparisons and statistics support the findings. Effective public education will be the key to keeping everyone on the road safe.
