Author: CHS

Golden Crescent Regional Advisory Council (GCRAC)

Check out these links for more information on distracted driving:
Distraction.Gov: http://www.distraction.gov/
National Safety Council: http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/distracted_driving/pages/distracted_driving.aspx
Nationwide Insurance: http://www.nationwide.com/newsroom/dwd-facts-figures.jsp
Geico Insurance: http://www.geico.om/information/safety/auto/teendriving/distracted-driving/
Focus Driven: http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx
Federal Communications Commission: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/driving.html
The Oprah Show: http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/End-Distracted-Driving
Remember Alex Brown (R.A.B): http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/index.php

Golden Crescent Regional Advisory Council (GCRAC)
2701 Hospital Drive
Victoria, TX 77901
Injury Prevention Committee
holly.smith@detar.com

What is distracted driving?

What can I do to reduce my risk of distraction?

According to Distraction.gov, distracted driving is defined as “any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.”
Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening around you. Distractions are anything that takes your attention off the primary task of driving. There are three types of distractions:

Visual Distractions: Anything that takes your eyes off the road.

Manual Distractions: Anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel.

Cognitive Distractions: Anything that takes your mind off driving.

All distractions can be dangerous and life threatening but texting is one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves all three types of distractions.
Other distractive activities include:

Using a cell phone
Eating and drinking
Talking to passengers
Grooming
Reading, including maps
Using PDA or navigation systems
Watching a video
Changing the radio station, CD, Mp3 player or other device

20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes). (NHTSA)
In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving (FARS and GES)
The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group– 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes). (NHTSA)
In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving (FARS and GES)
The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group– 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (Source: University of Utah)
80% of all crashes and 65% of near crashes involve some type of distraction (Virginia Tech 100-car Study for the NHTSA)
Brain activity used while driving decreases by 40% when a driver listens to conversation or music. (Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging a Carnegie Mellon University)
More than 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous behavior:: Changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails, and shaving. (Nationwide Mutual Insurance)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (Source: University of Utah)
80% of all crashes and 65% of near crashes involve some type of distraction (Virginia Tech 100-car Study for the NHTSA)
Brain activity used while driving decreases by 40% when a driver listens to conversation or music. (Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging a Carnegie Mellon University)
More than 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous behavior:: Changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails, and shaving. (Nationwide Mutual Insurance)

Being a Undistracted Driver is the safest way to drive! When divers are undistracted, they are able to stay focused on the roadway and are aware of behaviors of other drivers on the road. These drivers stay focused, pay attention, and expect the unexpected.

These tips can help you continue to drive and arrive at your destination safely:

Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly.
Be well-rested and in the appropriate mindset to drive. Driving when upset or angry can be just as dangerous as driving while tired.
Identify and reduce all distractions before
driving.
Do not tailgate.
Allow sufficient time to reach your destination.
Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.
Put your cell phone on silent or turn it off and put it out or reach. If someone calls, call them back when you safely reach your destination.
Put your makeup on before you leave the house or at your destination. Don’t brush or comb your hair or shave while driving.
When you’re on the road, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel.
Avoid eating while driving.
Do not read a book or check your email in the car.
Do not be distracted by the passengers in the car.