Distracted driving is a terrible idea, and our phones are making things worse. Texting, checking social media, and taking a call all take your attention away from the road. Even if the path in front of you seems clear, a lot could change while you're staring at a screen. Let's take a look at the latest distracted driving stats to get a full picture of the problem.
Why Is Texting and Driving Such a Big Deal?
Picture this: you're driving at 55 miles per hour and look at your phone screen for just 5 seconds. That's like driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed. What if a car ahead of you suddenly stopped, or a deer crossed the road? You might not have enough time to break to avoid a crash.
This is why distracted driving crashes are so prevalent. In 2020, 15% of all crashes happened because the driver wasn't paying attention to the road. And at least 14% of those crasheshappened because of cell phone use. Almost 8% of drivers were focused on their screens at any given time of day in 2020.
In 2020, 3,412 people died and 424,000 were injured because of distracted driving. It's one of the most common car accident fatality causes.
5 Tips for Driving Safety in a Mobile World
There are several things you can do to avoid becoming a statistic.
1. Keep Your Phone Away from Reach
Out of sight out of mind. If your phone isn't within reach, you're less likely to get distracted by it. But if you do need to use it for navigation, get a phone mount so you don't have to hold it.
2. Set Your Phone to Silent
You don't want your phone pinging every time you get a text or notification. Turn off the sound to curb the temptation of looking.
3. Tell Loved Ones You'll Be Driving
53% of drivers interviewed for a survey say they use their phones while driving because they feel pressure from family. Before getting behind the wheel, let your loved ones know you'll be driving. They'll understand why you're not replying to their texts.
4. Take Calls Hands-Free
You should hand your phone to a passenger while you're driving. But if you're alone and need to take a call, always do it on speakerphone. Carrying a conversation takes away your attention from the road, but at least you'll have both hands on the wheel and full control of the vehicle.
5. Rely on a Safe Driving App
One way to end distracted driving is to cut distractions at the root. There are several apps that can help. Generally speaking, they block incoming calls and notifications so you can focus on the road. Some even reply to messages with an automated text that you're driving or send a GPS location so your loved ones know where you are.
Responsible Driving Is the Way to Go
Avoiding your phone and keeping your eyes on the road is the best way to make it to your destination safely. In fact, it's the mark of a good driver. You could learn the tips and tricks to becoming a responsible driver through experience (the hard way). Or you could take defensive driving classes at your own pace and even get an auto insurance discount from it.
Updated 12/5/22
