![]() The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that 35 to 50 percent of drivers admit to using a smartphone while driving and 90 percent of drivers fear those who do. While a large percentage of drivers (95.6%) said texting or emailing while driving is unacceptable, nearly half (49%) report talking on a hand-held device and nearly 35% have sent a text or an email while driving. Older age was strongly correlated with decreased cell phone distraction scores.Ī 2018 survey of more than 3,300 drivers by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illustrates a disconnect in driver behavior. Overall, nearly 60 percent of respondents admitted to using their cell phone at least once while driving. Distraction rates Ī 2016 study found that nearly 50 percent of drivers admitted to, while driving, reading a text message, sending a text message, checking their phone for directions, or using social media. An experienced driver that is used to the automation systems will be actively engaged in distracted driving. The extended use of the new automation systems may cause the driver to over rely on the system and become disengaged completely from the wheel as well as the road ahead. There is another distraction factor to put in place here: driving with fatigue or being so out of focus that you become drowsy. With all of the new adaptations to technology in our vehicles, there is a higher chance of looking at a screen and taking your attention off of the road. ĭistractions within the vehicle itself can be problematic. They range from the use of cell phones and other electronics to rubbernecking, carrying passengers including children and pets in the vehicle, eating while driving, sexual activity while driving and searching for misplaced items. ĭriving distractions can greatly vary in form and severity. Some distractions can combine some or all of these groups, such as texting and calling on one's cell phone. Cognitive distractions occur when an individual is not mentally focused on the act of driving. Manual distractions involve taking one's hands off the wheel, such as searching for something in a bag, eating or drinking, grooming, or changing radio stations. Visual distractions involve taking one's eyes off the road, such as looking at a GPS system, looking at roadside billboards, or checking a child's seat belt in the rear view mirror. Types of distractions ĭistractions while driving can be separated into three distinct groups: visual, manual, and cognitive. Distracted driving is particularly common among, but not exclusive to, younger drivers. According to the United States Department of Transportation, " texting while driving creates a crash risk 23 times higher than driving while not distracted." Studies and polls regularly find that over 30% of United States drivers had recently texted and driven. Distractions are shown to compromise the safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and people in other vehicles.Ĭellular device use while behind the wheel is one of the most common forms of distracted driving. Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaging in other activities which distract the driver's attention away from the road. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |