Driver distractions can include talking and texting on a cell phone, driver fatigue, eating and drinking while driving, smoking, applying make-up, allowing pets to travel unharnessed and dealing with unruly passengers. Distracted driving is a serious and life-threatening activity, and is a contributing factor in more than one million car crashes in the United States every year that cause injuries and deaths and cost over $40 billion. Distracted driving is the number one killer of American teen-agers.
Multi-Tasking while Driving
Going through a fast food drive-through and eating and drinking while steering with one hand, admonishing unruly children, texting or talking on a cell phone or reading a map may all seem like innocent and common activities in our busy everyday lives, but these distractions are dangerous and increase your chances of having a serious car accident with injuries.
The act of driving a car is a complicated task involving both physical and mental coordination and reflexes, quick appraisal skills and good judgment. Drivers who have to deal with distractions are participating in risky and dangerous behaviors that endanger everyone on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted drivers are just as deadly as those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Tips for Undistracted Driving
The following tips may help you avoid an accident caused by distracted driving:
• Plan your trip ahead of time
• Stow your electronic devices until you get where you are going
• Prepare your children and pets to travel safely
• Eat and drink before you start out on your trip
• Store loose gear that can shift while you are driving
• Make sure your vehicle is travel- ready
• Focus on your driving for your safety, your passengers safety and the safety of others
August 22, 2010 at 4:00 AM
nice article nice blog keep posting i like ur article thxx
August 30, 2010 at 4:20 AM
TEENS are getting more involved in the accidents than others and researches show the main cause as Texting while driving and need to avoid all the distractions when we are on the wheels. interesting post and hope more people can know from this.
-Steve Mack
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