CAR & ROAD SAFETY
Distracted Driving
Have you considered the dangers of talking on the cell phone or eating while driving? Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and/or your mind off your primary task: safe driving. Any non-driving activity is a distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
For teens who have minimal driving experience, distracted driving is even more dangerous and puts them at a higher risk of crashing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report, Traffic Safety Facts Research Note: Distracted Driving 2018:
- In 2018, there were 2,841 people killed and an estimated additional 400,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Five percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. Eight percent of drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
Pennsylvania law bans texting for drivers of all ages, and is a primary offense in the state.
Safety Tips
For Drivers:
- Do not multitask while driving. Whether it’s adjusting your mirrors, picking the music, eating a sandwich, making a phone call, or reading an email―do it before or after your trip, not during.
- You can use apps to help you avoid cell phone use while driving. Consider trying an app to reduce distractions while driving. Additionally, many smart phones have a “do not disturb” mode that drivers can use.
For Passengers:
- Speak up if you are a passenger in a car with a distracted driver. Ask the driver to focus on driving.
- Reduce distractions for the driver by assisting with navigation or other tasks.
For Parents:
- Talk to your teen or young adult about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving. Share stories and statistics related to teen/young adult drivers and distracted driving.
- Remind them driving is a skill that requires the driver’s full attention.
- Emphasize that texts and phone calls can wait until arriving at a destination.
- Know your state’s laws on distracted driving. Many states have novice driver provisions in their distracted driving laws. Talk with your teen about the consequences of distracted driving and make yourself and your teen aware of your state’s penalties for talking or texting while driving.
- Set consequences for distracted driving. Your family’s rules of the road can be stricter than your state’s law, but have a conversation with your teen and set clear expectations for their actions while driving.
- Set an example and model wanted behavior by keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel while driving.
Injury Risk Areas
