Distracted driving sits among the most common causes of road accidents. Some drivers might not take this seriously because of their complacent behavior and reliance on driver-assist systems. However, failing to focus on the road is still causing severe damage across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s data, nine distracted driving fatalities happen daily in the United States. This road hazard also caused 424,000 injuries in 2019 alone.
These incidents include visual, manual and cognitive distractions that may seem more tedious than risky. A fatal crash could happen for the most mundane distractions, including:
- Checking directions on a navigation app
- Speaking to someone on the cellphone
- Sending a quick text
- Driving while eating or drinking
Additionally, state laws have provisions against distracted driving, such as prohibiting drivers from texting on the road.
Young adult and teen drivers have higher risks
The CDC found that teens and young adults are more prone to getting distracted when driving. They made up a high percentage of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.
This age group tends to exhibit more reckless behavior, making it essential to thoroughly educate and guide young drivers before letting them drive unsupervised.
Additionally, both drivers and passengers could do their part in preventing distractions. Drivers could develop better safety habits and avoid multitasking while driving. Meanwhile, passengers could observe the driver and speak up if there are any distractions.
They could also help drivers by assisting with necessary tasks on the road, such as checking directions and taking calls or texts for the driver. By doing so, they could avoid accidents and traffic offenses from distracted driving.
