 | Highway Fatalities: 37,461 lives were lost on U.S. roads in 2016, an increase of 5.6% from 2015. NHTSA |
In 2015, 10% of fatal crashes were distraction affected. The National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use alone accounted for 27% of the car crashes. American Automobile Association studies indicate driver distraction is responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes. Traffic expects classify distraction in 3 main categories:
- Manual (hands off the wheel)
- Visual (eyes off the road)
- Cognitive (wandering mind and stress related)
Will this be your last text?
NHTSA leads the fight nationally against distracted driving by educating Americans about its dangers and partnering law enforcement to help keep it safe out there. The NHTSA has stepped up running campaigns and public service announcements regarding this 'grave' situation. Manual, visual and cognitive distractions are no laughing matter.
One of the highlights comes during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month advertising campaign with a law enforcement crackdown called "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." Texting is the most alarming distraction. According to NHTSA sending or reading a text even "LOL" takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. They make a strong point... At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of a football field with ones eyes closed.
One of the highlights comes during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month advertising campaign with a law enforcement crackdown called "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." Texting is the most alarming distraction. According to NHTSA sending or reading a text even "LOL" takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. They make a strong point... At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of a football field with ones eyes closed.
NHTSA 2018 Campaign - Focus on Distracted Driving and Stress Related Fatalities
You can get involved- teens, parents, seniors, home health aids, medical professional, educators, business leaders and clergy. Make your voices heard. Click/tap here for a related discussion.
Stress
In studies of driver behavior and driver stress certain things emerge as typical causes of tension. They include:
Read Jerry Kennard (a health professional) - Driver Stress: Causes & Cures at HealthCentral for more insight. Additional good reads for preventing stress are at HealthLine. Please do comment on how you, the senior(s) in your care are coping with distracted driving especially as a result of stress. End.
Stress
In studies of driver behavior and driver stress certain things emerge as typical causes of tension. They include:
- Stuck in traffic/off-road detours/inconsiderate parked cars within highway
- Being caught in unsafe traffic flow/being pressured to drive faster
- Ignoring traffic signs/jumping lights/dangerous right on red
- Coming up upon an aggressive driver/applying the brakes hard
- Unpredictable roadside events/distractive billboards/beautiful scenery
- Lack of signaling intentions/failure to turn on lights
Read Jerry Kennard (a health professional) - Driver Stress: Causes & Cures at HealthCentral for more insight. Additional good reads for preventing stress are at HealthLine. Please do comment on how you, the senior(s) in your care are coping with distracted driving especially as a result of stress. End.
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