Here’s an updated summary of Traffic Safety Facts on Distracted Driving from the National Highway and Safety Administration.
The data does lag by several years but, at a minimum, it’s a reminder that distracted driving is a problem (and one of the reasons we need car insurance!).
So too, cell-phone use as a cause of distraction has increased some, up to 10%. That’s a healthy reminder that cell phones remain a source of distraction. For instance, you can be listening to a cell phone, making a call, or checking navigation or a text. But it is hardly the only source for distractions.
In other words, over 90% of distracted driving crashes are from other forms of distraction!!
So it’s better to focus on raising your awareness of your own and your family’s distractions.
Yes, consider how your cell phone distracts you?
- Texting?
- Phone calls?
- Changing music or audio book?
- Changing navigation?
Make some habits to minimize your phone distraction. If you’re driving alone, consider waiting until you’re parked and safe, or setting up your music before driving away. If you’ve got a trusty passenger, ask her to handle the phone for you. Find ways to not be distracted.
(If you do need an extra push to park your cell-phone while driving, Oregon recorded about 60,500 tickets for cell-phone use from 2017-2021!)
And also, what other ways can we be distracted?
- Changing the a/c or heat
- Changing radio station or music selection
- Eating or drinking
- Day dreaming
- By other passengers
What’s your distraction? Mine is flipping through radio stations or snacking.
Other Resources:
- Oregon Impact is an organization specifically devoted to helping teens in this area.
- ODOT has a full web page on distracted driving as well.
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