Whether you’re taking a short drive in town or on an extended road trip, driving requires your undivided attention. Operating a motor vehicle can be dangerous, especially if you’re impaired and/or driving at high speeds. You should also practice defensive driving, which means staying a safe distance (about 2 seconds) behind the car in front of you and anticipating unexpected and erratic movements from other drivers.
There are more than 6 million car accidents every year in the US, thousands of which result in a loss of life. Many of these accidents are avoidable, particularly those involving distracted driving. The following is an in-depth look at the unfortunate realities of distracted driving and how to stay safe while on the road.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is driving without paying complete attention to what’s going on in front of, behind, and to both sides of your vehicle. It’s important to pay close attention not only to other cars on the road but cyclists and pedestrians on the side or crossing the road. Most people understand that distracted driving is a dangerous practice, but many do it anyway. A lot of people also think distracted driving only constitutes texting or talking on the phone.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, classifies distracted driving into the following three groups: visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Visual distractions encompass any objects or events, both within and outside your vehicle, that draw your attention away from the road. These distractions can range from using a GPS and observing a roadside accident to viewing a billboard. Using your cell phone or reaching around for objects in the vehicle are examples of manual distractions. Cognitive distractions, meanwhile, include singing, daydreaming, and any other activities that cause your mind to wander.
A Leading Cause of Deadly Accidents
More than 36,000 people in the US die every year because of car accidents. A little less than 10 percent, or roughly 3,000 people, die because of distracted driving. That’s about eight deaths per day. In 2020 there were 2,880 fatal accidents involving a distracted driver, leading to the deaths of 3,142 people. This statistic highlights the fact that distracted driving isn’t just a threat to the driver but also to other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. More than 324,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2020.
Threat to Cyclists and Pedestrians
As mentioned, it’s not just motorists who are at risk because of distracted driving. Motor vehicle deaths declined in the US from 2005 to 2010, but during that same period, the number of pedestrians killed by distracted drivers increased from 344 to 500. Subsequent policies and laws to deter distracted driving and protect pedestrians haven’t made much of a difference. A total of 587 pedestrians and cyclists lost their lives due to accidents involving distracted drivers in 2020.
Mobile Phone Use While Driving
In 2020, there were 396 distracted driving fatalities where a mobile phone was in use at the time of the accident. This isn’t surprising considering that drivers spend an average of 1 minute and 38 seconds on their phone for every hour of driving, according to Cambridge Mobile Telematics’ 2022 US Distracted Driving Report. Drivers are more distracted from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., when they spend almost 2 minutes per hour driving on their phones.
Despite hands-free technology, 2.5 percent of all drivers hold their mobile phones to their ears when driving. This is down from 5.2 percent of drivers who did the same in 2012, but it still means that about 373,000 people are driving while holding their phone to their ear at any given minute in the US. Women are a little more likely to do this than men. More alarming is the fact that 5 percent of all drivers with passengers younger than 8 years old have used their phones when driving.
Young People Involved in Higher Percentage of Collisions
Younger drivers are more likely to use mobile phones when driving and, as a result, are involved in a higher percentage of collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Driver Electronic Device Use in 2021 report found that 3.7 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 24 held their phones to their ears when driving. People between these ages were responsible for 638 fatal collisions in 2020. This number, however, was lower than the 729 drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 involved in fatal accidents due to distracted driving.
Tips on How to Avoid Distracted Driving
As evidenced by these statistics, driving without distractions is easier said than done. However, with a little more care and attention, you can keep yourself and others safe on the road. Make sure your Bluetooth is properly connected before leaving your driveway so that you can talk hands-free if you get a call. If you listen to music on your phone via Bluetooth, set up a playlist before hitting the road to avoid constantly looking down to change songs.
If you’re driving with children, make sure they have everything they need before you depart. This could include snacks, books, or activities that can help keep them quiet, allowing you to concentrate on driving. You should also get off the road if you feel tired and avoid eating or drinking while driving.