Most of us have driven while distracted, we talk on a phone, we read or send a text message, we have a conversation with a passenger or think about what is going on at work or home. Is driving distracted really that big a deal?
Every day in the US 9+ people are killed and thousands injured in accidents related to distracted driving. In an AT&T survey 49% of adults and 43% of teen drivers admit to texting while driving. Over 40% of drivers admit that texting while driving is a habit and almost 50% of teens surveyed indicate they have seen their parents text while driving. Like it or not, our kids will drive like us.
According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be in a crash than drivers who do not text. And it is not like we do not know the risks; 98% of the people who responded to the AT&T survey mention earlier indicated they were aware that texting and driving isn't safe, yet 40% admit it is a habit. We have a problem.
This is an easy problem to manage. There are numerous applications for smart phones that will block incoming calls and texts while driving. Some are manual and must be turned on each time you drive others are automatic and start when ever the phone is travelling faster than 5 or 10 miles per hour.
Some of the devices do allow for hands free use, but when we are talking on a cell phone or listening and responding to text messages using a hands free application or response and reaction times are slower... a lot slower. Talk using a hands free device and you have the reaction time of someone driving drunk.
If you had a cold, would you casually sneeze into someone's face? Of course not! That would be rude, inconsiderate, and self-centered. When we drive distracted, we're not the only one exposed to the risk. The person injured in a crash may not be the distracted driver, it is often someone else. The risk you accept when you drive distracted is spread to others like a sneeze to the face. Everyone in your car is exposed to the risk you create. Drivers, motorcyclist, pedestrians and bicyclist near you are exposed to the risk you create. How rude inconsiderate or self-centered is that?
Don't be a rude, inconsiderate, or self-centered driver. Turn off the phone. Turn on a safe driving app. Reduce the risk of a crash for yourself and those around you.