State law enforcement agencies and the AAA designated April 29, 2009 as “Distracted Driving Awareness Day,” and urged Virginia drivers to make a pledge to pay attention while driving.
According to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study, nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve driver inattention within three seconds of the crash.
“Due in part to the Tech study and other data, distracted driving is becoming recognized as a top danger behind the wheel, along with speeding and impaired driving,” said David Mitchell, Deputy Commissioner of DMV. “We strongly support Governor Tim Kaine’s initiatives to raise awareness about this danger, including the proclamation recognizing April 29, 2009 as Distracted Driving Awareness Day in Virginia.”
In addition, the Governor also took the important step of signing into law a bill that will prohibit text messaging behind the wheel. This law takes effect on July 1, 2009.
“DRIVE SMART Virginia created this day of awareness to help people recognize the danger they put themselves in when they drive distracted. A person who would never consider drinking and driving may not hesitate to text while driving, which has been shown to be as dangerous,” said Janet Brooking, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. “We believe that once people understand the danger of taking their eyes and/or mind off of the task of driving, they will work to change their bad habits behind the wheel.”
Distracted driving includes activities such as personal grooming, eating, reaching for items in the car, and talking and texting on a cell phone. A University of Utah study shows that a person talking on a cell phone is four times more likely to get into a crash than someone driving without distraction from the phone. For someone texting when driving, the likelihood is six times higher.
“Although driving seems like second nature, it’s still a skill that requires constant, complex coordination between your mind and body. Unfortunately, a moment’s lapse in attention can have tragic consequences, so you should always keep your mind on the task at hand,” stated Martha M. Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “AAA is committed to educating drivers on the full range of distractions that can lead to crashes, from adjusting the radio or attending to children, to eating and drinking or using a mobile phone. All distractions place the driver, passengers and others on the road at risk.”
Consider the following:
- Distracted driving may be defined as anything that takes your eyes and/or mind off of the road.
- There is no difference in the cognitive distraction between hand-held and hands-free devices. (Simulator studies at the U. of Utah.)
- The Wireless Association reports 270 million cell phone subscribers. A Nationwide Insurance public opinion poll showed 81 percent of the public admit to talking on a cell phone while driving, which translates to estimates of more than 200 million people using cell phones while driving.
- The annual cost of crashes caused by cell phone use is estimated to be $43 billion (Harvard Center for Risk Analysis).
- Talking to a passenger while driving is significantly safer than talking on a cell phone. (University of Utah)
- While over 90 percent of teen drivers say they don’t drink and drive, nine out of ten say they’ve seen passengers distracting the driver, or drivers using cell phones. (National Teen Driver Survey)
- So, while studies show that drivers on mobile phones are more impaired than drivers that are legally intoxicated, apparently that message has not reached our teen population.
- A Harris Poll determined that 9 out of 10 American adults believe that sending text messages while driving is distracting, dangerous and should be outlawed.
- According to that same Harris Poll, 57 percent of those surveyed admitted to sending text messages while driving. In the age group of 18 to 34, that number rose to 72 percent.
- More than 1 trillion text messages were sent worldwide last year. More than 75 billion messages were sent in June 2008 alone, which is a 160 percent increase over the prior year. (International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry)
- As of June 2008, 85 percent of the American population had a wireless device. (International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry)
“Multi-tasking has become such a daily part of our lives that many people don’t think about the risks to themselves and others when it’s done behind the wheel,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “It only takes a few seconds to change a CD, grab a drink, dial a cell phone, crash your vehicle and change a life forever.”
Top Ten Tips to Minimize Your Distracted Driving:
CHANGE YOUR WAYS and recognize the activities that distract you, such as eating, conversing on the phone, or changing a CD. Once you recognize these distractions, you can work to eliminate them.
MAKE A PLAN. Know your route in advance and make sure that you have a good understanding of your directions. Check weather and road conditions. If you are transporting children, make sure that they are all properly buckled up and that you have items to keep them occupied, such as books on tape or soft toys.
MANAGE YOUR TIME so that you do not have to multi-task or drive aggressively on the road.
DON’T LET YOUR DRIVE TIME BECOME YOUR DOWN TIME. Understand that driving is not your “down time” or a time to catch up on phone calls, personal grooming, or dining.
SCAN the roadway to make sure that you are aware of others on the road at all times. Be prepared for the unpredictability of others.
CONCENTRATE on your driving. Make sure that you are not upset or tired when getting on the road. This is not the time to have a serious or emotional conversation with your passengers.
PULL OVER if you need to do something that will take your eyes and/or mind off the road. Make sure that you find a safe place to pull over first.
REDUCE THE USE! Use technology sensibly.
TAKE A REFRESHER CLASS! Everyone can pick up bad habits through the years. A driver improvement class can raise your awareness and help you assess your driving behaviors.
BUCKLE UP, EVERY TRIP, EVERY TIME. Making sure that everyone is properly buckled up is the best defense against distracted drivers.
TAKE THE PLEDGE: Pledge to drive distraction free by visiting http://www.drivesmartva.org and click on the red ‘Don’t Drive Distracted’ box to the right.
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