DISTRACTED DRIVING

Distracted drivers, people are dying to get your attention

BY: ZAIB NISA

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. 

Types of Distractions:There are 3 types of distractions:

Visual Distractions: Anything that takes your eyes off the road.

Manual Distractions: Anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel.

Cognitive Distractions: Anything that takes your mind off driving.

Distractive activities include:

• Eating and drinking

• Talking to passengers

• Grooming

• Reading, including map

• Using PDA or navigation system

• Watching a video

• Changing the radio station, CD, Mp3 player or other device

• Using a cell phone

Cell phones are one of the most common distractions for drivers. Drivers engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2010)

The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group– 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

Brain activity used while driving decreases by 40% when a driver listens to conversation or music. (Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging a Carnegie Mellon University)

More than 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous behavior.: Changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails, and shaving

80% of all crashes and 65% of near crashes involve some type of distraction (Virginia Tech 100-car Study for the NHTSA)

Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (Source: University of Utah)

Prevention Steps

Widespread education Law enforcement

Technology

What can I do to reduce my risk of distraction?Being a Undistracted Driver is the

safest way to drive!!!

When drivers are undistracted, they are able to stay focused in the roadway and are

aware of behaviors of other drivers on the road. These drivers stay focused, pay attention, and expect the unexpected.