Distracted Driving Fair

Driver distractions are nothing new. They've been a topic of discussion since windshield wipers were introduced in cars during the early 1900s. Text messaging, talking on a cell phone, styling hair, watching a movie, writing a grocery list, nursing a baby or putting in contact lenses: Secondary activities have become an everyday occurrence behind the wheel of American motorists.

Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.

There are three main types of distraction:

• Visual — taking your eyes off the road
• Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

While all distractions can endanger drivers’ safety, texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction.

Other distracting activities include:

• Using a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a PDA or navigation system
• Watching a video
• Changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player.

When drivers engage in distracted driving behaviors, they are not only a danger to themselves, but to everyone else on the road around them.

You might think this is only a problem for inexperienced drivers, but well seasoned veterans behind the wheel are just as careless and prone to distractions.  It seems we become so comfortable behind the wheel our brains are almost on auto-pilot.  It just takes a second for a tire to slip off the highway into a pot hole, or a dog to run out in front of the vehicle.  If you’re chatting away about what to defrost for supper, or looking down at your phone focusing on phrasing your text message is as few letters as possible…you are not ready to react to either one.   Heaven forbid if your car is equipped with TV/DVD in the driver’s area!

Drivers Simply Can’t Do Two Things At Once.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others.

Deadly Behavior. In 2008 alone, nearly 6,000 people died and more than half-a-million injuries occurred simply because people were not paying attention to the road. Twenty percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA).

Young Drivers Are Especially At Risk. Young drivers are at risk of distracted driving—especially men and women under 20 years of age. Their lack of driving experience can contribute to critical misjudgments if they become distracted. Not surprisingly, they text more than any other age group and the numbers of young drivers who text are only increasing.

Driving Impaired. Using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)

Everyone Has a Role. We all have a stake in solving this problem, and we can all be a part of the solution. We must put our phones down; be a good example to our children, peers, and community; and insist that when riding with others they do the same.

Remember, people’s conversations can wait. The chances of causing a crash that could ruin lives is just too great. 

The Health Center will be hosting a Distracted Driving Booth at the Livingston County Fair on Friday, July 21^st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Sergeant Larry Stobbs from the St. Joseph Police Department will be on hand with a Distracted Driving Simulator and Seatbelt Convincer and lots of education about driving safety.   Bring yourself and your kids by the booth for an eye-opening look at why we just shouldn’t multitask behind the wheel.  It might save your life, or the lives of the ones you love.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Source: US Department of Transportation