Distracted Driving
Dangers Of Impaired Driving
In some form or another, we are all told on a daily basis about the deadly dangers of impaired driving. Whether it is driving under the influence, texting while driving or simply driving too fast, these are real problems with deadly consequences.
Drinking and driving under the influence or DUI is when you get behind the wheel and have a blood alcohol content of at least 0.08% however even a small amount of alcohol can cause a dangerous situation.
There are also several ways that consuming alcohol can difficulty driving that include slow reaction time, lack of coordination, reduce concentration, and clouded judgment.
Listed below are explanations of these key components on why they are important and how close you can be to life or death.
Slow reaction: When you mix alcohol and driving it can become a bad combination very quickly because when in your system the alcohol can slow how fast and alert you typically would be if you were sober whether that means looking for other cars passing a red light or seeing the vehicle in front of you mash on the brakes.
Lack of coordination: Another major key point to keep in mind is that when there is alcohol involved you usually lose your sense of coordination meaning your main motor skills such as your eyes, arms, and legs.
Reduce coordination: Furthermore, alcohol can affect your concentration whether that be staying in your lane while driving, making sure to stop at stop lights, or merging correctly on the highway all play a part in this life or death situation.
Cloud judgment: When it comes to alcohol it can quickly impair the department where decision making and judgment play a role. In case of an emergency as in if you see a wreck up ahead, if your vehicle has mechanical issues, or if someone cuts you off in traffic.
You need to have clear judgment to be able to handle these circumstances.
In some form or another, we are all told on a daily basis about the deadly dangers of distracted driving. Whether it is driving under the influence, texting while driving or simply driving too fast, these are real problems with deadly consequences.
Scary statistics for distracted driving
Colorado roadway deaths have risen by 50% since 2011. In 2021 there were 672 deaths on Colorado roadways last year, of those 246 were related to drugs or alcohol and 226 of those people were not wearing seatbelts. Now, while that number should not even exist because there is absolutely no legit reason in this age of Uber that anyone should get behind a wheel, even more ridiculous is the amount of auto crashes related to “distracted driving.”
Experts estimate that there are forty crashes a day caused by people who are busy looking at a device rather than the road. Let me reiterate again; forty crashes a day from people that deemed a social media status more important than safe driving potentially costing their own or someone else life. Now granted all those did not end in a fatality, but some of them did. While others ended with life-altering injuries. Not a gamble anyone should risk.
More Than a Stat: distracted driving
When you look at these numbers, it may not affect you. You may look at it and even think, with all the people around 672 deaths is not that bad. Right? Wrong. Distracted driving deaths or crashes where drugs and alcohol are a factor should not exist, period. These are entirely preventable circumstances.
These are traumatic situations where families are torn apart by death or serious injury because of poor judgment. However, it is more than just those involved in the accident that suffers. Imagine being the law enforcement officer who has to make the phone call to a worried mother and tell her that a drunk driver killed her child.
Alternatively, the wife whose husband died in the hospital after a head-on collision with a teenager who was too busy texting to watch the road and veered into oncoming traffic. What if it was your loved one? What if your best friend who was no longer there for you because their life was cut short for no explainable reason?
No call is too urgent it cannot wait, no drive is quick enough to take after a night on the town, and no life is worth sacrificing to see how fast that new whip takes turns.
Distracted Driving Facts
Distracted driving refers to the act of driving while engaging in other activities that take the driver’s attention away from the road. These distractions can be visual, manual, or cognitive, and they significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Here are some key facts and statistics about distracted driving, primarily based on information available up to my last update in April 2023:
General Facts
- Definition: Distracted driving encompasses a range of activities, including texting, using a cellphone, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, adjusting the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that diverts attention from driving.
- Types of Distractions:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road.
- Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving.
Statistics (United States-centric but applicable globally)
- Prevalence and Impact:
- Distracted driving is a factor in approximately 25% to 30% of all traffic crashes.
- Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a collision, with texting being particularly dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction.
- Texting and Driving:
- Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash or near-crash event by up to 23 times.
- Reading or sending a text takes the driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds, enough time to cover the length of a football field while driving at 55 mph.
- Youth and Distracted Driving:
- Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
- Studies have shown that teenagers are more likely to use cell phones while driving, with many reporting having texted or emailed while driving.
Legislation and Enforcement
- Laws and Regulations: Many jurisdictions have enacted laws specifically targeting distracted driving, especially focusing on the use of handheld electronic devices while driving. The specifics vary widely but often include fines, points on the driver’s license, and even jail time for severe offenses.
- Effectiveness of Legislation: Research indicates that laws banning texting while driving can lead to a reduction in traffic fatalities, particularly among younger drivers.
Prevention and Safety Tips
- Education and Awareness: Programs aimed at educating drivers about the dangers of distracted driving are crucial in prevention efforts.
- Technology Solutions: Use of “do not disturb” features on smartphones, as well as in-vehicle systems that limit the use of handheld devices while the vehicle is moving, can help reduce distractions.
- Personal Responsibility: Drivers should make a conscious effort to eliminate distractions by keeping their phones out of reach, not eating or drinking while driving, and focusing solely on the road.
While we are all about insurance protection at A Plus Insurance, we are also about education. If we educate our clients, they make better decisions, and better decisions turn into better rates. However, the other thing we like about our customers is that they are alive. Living customers are way better than dead ones in our opinion and if we can not only show our clients how important safe driving is but just a curious blog reader than we are saving two lives.
Maps do not Lie: distracted driving facts
In a serious effort to better serve our clients and community, we created an interactive life-saving learning tool. We think it is life-saving because maybe it will change the way you drive. Our Colorado Interactive Fatalities Map shows data for the last ten years. This data compilation represents the contributing factors (Alcohol, Speeding, Distracted Driving) for the accident as well as who died in the crash (Driver, Passenger, Pedestrian, Bicyclist, Multiple, Other).
This map gives you a visual representation of each life lost due to careless driving. It shows more than just a number, but someone’s husband, wife, daughter, friend that is no longer here because of someone else or maybe even their terrible judgment. Although a fatality may not happen in every accident, injuries happen, there is a monetary loss associated with car accidents, job loss, jail time. All significant life changes that happen in a split second with no do-overs.
Be smart every time you get behind the wheel. Put on a playlist, set your phone to do not disturb, or call an Uber if you need it. Who knows, the life you save just might be your own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Distracted Driving
Q1: What is considered distracted driving?
A1: Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts attention from driving, including texting, talking on the phone, eating, using in-car entertainment systems, and more. It can endanger the driver, passengers, and others on the road.
Q2: What are the consequences of distracted driving?
A2: The consequences of distracted driving can be severe and include accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. It can also lead to legal penalties, increased insurance premiums, and financial burdens. Avoiding distractions while driving is essential for safety.
Q3: How can I prevent distracted driving?
A3: To prevent distracted driving, avoid using your phone while driving, secure loose items in the car, set up navigation and entertainment systems before driving, and designate a passenger to assist with tasks. It’s crucial to stay focused on the road to ensure safety for yourself and others.