As MoDot said… Smart phones do not make smart drivers.

by Angie Warner, WHNP

In this age of technology, we have become a society that is used to having all information at our fingertips at any given time… and that even includes while we drive.  Distracted driving is actually become more dangerous than drinking and driving.  Mainly because there are many more drivers grabbing for their phones than they are for alcoholic beverages.  While most crashes, injuries and deaths are related to texting while driving, talking on the phone also poses many risks.

 

Here are some facts about texting/talking while driving:

  • Cell phone use is responsible for 1.6 million crashes per year, and 330,000 of them are from texting while driving.
  • 1 in 4 crashes are a result of texting while driving because it leads to a 400% decrease in keeping your eyes on the road.
  • Texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to cause a crash, and 6 times more likely to cause a crash than drunk driving.
  • Teens are 4 times more likely to cause a crash from texting or talking on the phone than adults are and 11 teens die EVERY DAY as a result.

 

Did you know that answering a text distracts a driver for approximately 5 seconds.  That may not seem like a lot but if you are traveling 55mph, that is enough time to travel the length of a football field.  Most accidents occur within the first 3 seconds of distraction.  Distraction includes, talking, dialing and texting on the phone, reaching for your phone, and web surfing.  In fact 1 in 5 drivers confess to surfing the web while driving.  With all that being said, 77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.

 

Parents you must lead by example and put your phones down to ensure the safety of your children and other drivers.

 

We encourage all of our patients and their family members to pledge to each other that they will not text and drive.  Below you can find a contract that every driver in your home can sign.

 

Take the Pledge

 

The fight to end distracted driving starts with you. Make the commitment to drive phone-free today.

 

Distracted driving kills and injures thousands of people each year. I pledge to:

 

  •    Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
  •    Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
  •    Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.

 

SIGNATURE:  _____________________________________________________________

 

DATE:  ___________________________________________________________________

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