In 2017, over 300,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving crashes. That's like the entire city of Tampa, FL being injured by a distracted driving crash.
Smartphones- the most convenient distractions. Nowadays, almost everyone owns a smartphone. Even children as young as 5 have their own smartphone! In 2018, a survey showed 96% of 18 to 29 year olds owned a smartphone along with 92% of 30 to 49 year olds.
According to a study done by SaferAmerica, car accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 29 and the 9th leading cause of death for all people, globally.
Texting and driving is one of the most common types of distracted driving.
Experiment: DO NOT DO THIS WHILE DRIVING. While being a passenger in a vehicle, look out the window. Now close your eyes and count to 5. When you open your eyes, look around. Notice how far you traveled and how everything looks different outside. That's the equivalent to taking your eyes off the road to check or send a text message.
Can you imagine what could have happened if a child ran out into the road while you had your eyes closed?
That's the risk people take everyday when they choose to drive distracted. Make the right choice, don't drive distracted.
Kids and Animals are a distraction, too! Always secure your pet with a safety harness belt or a traveling crate. We have witnessed many people trying to drive with their pets sitting in their lap. Not only is this dangerous for the pet and the pet owner, it is also dangerous for other drivers. If you were to get into an accident with your pet on your lap, it could be ejected from the vehicle or succumb to its injuries from being crushed by the force of the airbag. An airbag deploys anywhere from 100 to 220 mph, and can do significant damage to person, let alone an animal sitting on their lap.
Children should always be in the backseat, secured in a car seat, not free-roaming around the vehicle. Not only is this illegal, but it is very dangerous!
Turning around and taking your eyes off the road to help a child is distracted driving! Use clip on mirrors to keep an eye on your child without having to turn around. The most vulnerable drivers, teens, should not drive with children in the backseat. While some of us do have children at a young age, being an inexperienced driver with a child in the backseat is a recipe for disaster!
Get Some Rest! Sleepy drivers are as reckless as distracted or even drunk drivers. Many tragic accidents can happen when a person falls asleep behind the wheel. From rear ending a small car to going head on with oncoming traffic or even flipping your own vehicle. Even if you only have to go a few more miles until you reach your destination... Don't.
Other things that we've seen people do over the years, while driving:
Put on makeup
Shave
Read a full sized map
Record a Video
Read a newspaper or book
Playing an instrument
Eat (whole take-out container on lap)
Brushing/Combing hair
Engaging in sexual activity
All in all, if you have to take your eyes off the road for something in your vehicle, you are distracted.
Multitasking is NOT something you should be trying to do while driving. When you drive, JUST DRIVE.
J&S FixQuik Automotive | Mobile Auto Repair | Aurora, IL
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