Distracted Driving Program Recap

Thank you to Stephanie Kulak from Capital Health for presenting on the dangers, causes, and solutions for distracted driving.  Many of us are guilty of distracted driving, whether it be texting, trying to find a dropped item, or turning around to address children in the backseat.  While it may only seem like we are distracted for a second or two, many bad things can happen in that time.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes and focus off the road.  Talking and listening to music are activities we often do while driving, but still allow us to keep our eyes on the road.  Other activities force us to look elsewhere and therefore, are considered distracted driving, including:

• Using cell phones (phone calls and texting)
• Grooming
• Reading
• Using GPS
• Eating and Drinking
• Adjusting a car stereo
• Mind wandering

Of these activities, texting is considered the most common and most dangerous form of distracted driving.  Not only are your eyes off the road, at least one hand it off the steering wheel and your mind is no longer focused on driving and your surroundings.  While distracted driving is more prevalent in younger drivers, people of all ages can become distracted which can lead to accidents that involve serious injury or death.

Distracted Driving Facts

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in which one or more drivers were distracted.  This accounts for 9% of all fatal crashes.  However, approximately 400,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving.

While drivers in their 20’s make up 27% of distracted drivers in fatal crashes, close to 10% of distracted drivers are in their 30’s or 40’s.  When taken together, drivers between the age of 16-49 make up for just over 50% of all distracted drivers in fatal crashes.  As the data shows, distracted driving is not just a teenage problem.

Causes of Distracted Driving

While phones and technology account for a large number of reported distractions, there are other things that can distract us that we may not think of.  Anyone who has driven with children know how distracting they can be.  From dropping items, to meltdowns, to hitting siblings, children can easily distract the driver.  Never reach behind you to pick something up as this takes your attention off the road.  Whenever there is an issue with a child in the back seat, pull over and stop the car to safely address the concern.

Another cause of distracted driving is medication.  Medications, especially ones that you are just starting, can affect your body in a variety of ways.  These include shortened attention span, slowed reactions, and drowsiness, all of which can lead to distracted driving.  Some medications may cause insomnia or trouble falling asleep, leading grogginess and over-tired days, which can also result in distracted driving.

Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving

Eliminating all distractions is wishful thinking, but there are different ways that we can help limit the distractions in our car.  First and foremost, we can put the phone down.  We can try putting the phone on silent, turning it off, or placing it in the glovebox.  While this may be easier said than done, there are also a variety of apps available that will monitor lock your phone while driving.  There are also apps that can send automatic messages to incoming texts and calls or can track your driving habits to see how often you become distracted.  Capital Health has championed using plastic bands, similar to the cause bands around wrists, to wrap around your phone to discourage texting.

To view a recording of this presentation, please visit https://youtu.be/GjJO3ptJLG4.  You can download a copy Capital Health’s Distracted Driving brochure at https://www.njstatelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Distracted-Driving-Brochure.pdf.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie at SKulak@capitalhealth.org.