Attention, Please
Have you ever been driven to distraction, or have distractions been driving you into dangerous situations? Behind the wheel, drivers must constantly decide where to focus their attention. The safest choice is to remain focused on driving, but there are so many objects and actions that compete both inside and outside of vehicles to tempt drivers’ attention away from the road ahead. Traffic tickets aren’t the only criteria used to determine your auto insurance premium; at-fault accidents are just as important.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released findings this year that driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near crashes—nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.
The most common distraction for drivers is the use of cell phones. However, the number of crashes and near crashes attributable to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening. There’s evidence in other studies that a hands-free phone isn’t less distracting. Reaching for a moving object increased the risk of crash by 9 times; looking for an external object by 3.7 times; reading by 3 times; applying makeup by 3 times.
Many states have enacted laws to ban or limit use of cell phones while driving. Illinois allows localities to ban cell phone use for learner’s permit holders, drivers younger than 18, and school bus drivers. Using a cell phone while operating a vehicle can be a hazard—and like any hazard, attention has to be given to avoid accidents.
Recent statistics from NHTSA show that traffic deaths last year reached the highest level since 1990. Fifty-five percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed weren’t wearing seat belts. Motorcyclists’ deaths rose for an eighth straight year, and nearly half weren’t wearing helmets. It’s very clear that each of us can do something to keep ourselves safe while operating motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Buckle up, wear your helmet, don’t drive when you’ve been drinking, and please put your makeup on at home—not only is it extremely dangerous, it’s also not a pretty site for us motorists who are paying attention to your driving. tpw
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released findings this year that driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near crashes—nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.
The most common distraction for drivers is the use of cell phones. However, the number of crashes and near crashes attributable to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening. There’s evidence in other studies that a hands-free phone isn’t less distracting. Reaching for a moving object increased the risk of crash by 9 times; looking for an external object by 3.7 times; reading by 3 times; applying makeup by 3 times.
Many states have enacted laws to ban or limit use of cell phones while driving. Illinois allows localities to ban cell phone use for learner’s permit holders, drivers younger than 18, and school bus drivers. Using a cell phone while operating a vehicle can be a hazard—and like any hazard, attention has to be given to avoid accidents.
Recent statistics from NHTSA show that traffic deaths last year reached the highest level since 1990. Fifty-five percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed weren’t wearing seat belts. Motorcyclists’ deaths rose for an eighth straight year, and nearly half weren’t wearing helmets. It’s very clear that each of us can do something to keep ourselves safe while operating motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Buckle up, wear your helmet, don’t drive when you’ve been drinking, and please put your makeup on at home—not only is it extremely dangerous, it’s also not a pretty site for us motorists who are paying attention to your driving. tpw