It is critical for everyone to put safety first when they get behind the wheel of a car. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who still do not take appropriate safety precautions. One of the biggest risks is distracted driving. Distracted driving comes in many shapes and forms. Some people use their cell phones while driving, while other people may get caught changing the radio. Some people eat and drink food while driving, while other people may be distracted by other passengers. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at a few statistics related to distracted driving and how the situation could be improved.
Statistics from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
During the past few years, there has been increased attention paid to the dangers of distracted driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving is still a serious threat. According to statistics that have been published by the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2019 alone, more than 3,142 lives were lost due to distracted driving.
- Reading or sending a text message takes approximately 5 seconds.
- If someone is traveling at 55 miles an hour, they are driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed.
- According to another report, close to 10 percent of drivers admitted to using their cell phones while driving.
- Cell phone use while driving continues to be highest among people between 16 and 24 years of age.
Based on these numbers, it is clear that something has to be done to reduce the frequency of distracted driving. Otherwise, thousands of people will continue to be injured and killed in motor vehicle accidents every year due to distracted driving.
Distracted Driving: GPS and Telematics
There are many people who use a GPS to help them get from place to place. Even though it might be necessary for people to look at directions while driving, following a GPS can also lead to distracted driving. Now, telematics may be able to help people reduce risky driving. A telematics system can include targeted reporting that collects information on excessive speed, failure to yield, unsafe lane charges, hard braking, and even intentional mileage log falsifications. This type of technology can go a long way toward reducing distracted driving among commercial fleets. Through proper training, it is possible for drivers to learn how to manage a GPS with telematics to pay better attention to the road, reducing the chances of being involved in a distracted driving accident.
Prevent Distracted Driving
Even though car safety technology has come a long way, people are still in control of vehicles. Therefore, everyone has to put their full attention on the road while driving. When someone operates a motor vehicle while distracted, this increases the chances of suffering a serious accident. Sadly, distracted driving still leads to thousands of deaths every year. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the chances of a distracted driving car accident through proper training, GPS, and telematics. This has the potential to save lives.
The Advisor 