The National Safety Council reported that in 2017, vehicle fatalities topped 40,000 for the second consecutive year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states multiple factors contribute to traffic fatalities, but the risk of distracted driving, particularly due to technology, is growing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that each day in the United States, 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving.
While few question the negative effects of alcohol on driver performance, many drivers fail to recognize the extent that attention to technology impairs driver ability. Thus, it is much more prevalent. According to the CDC, 2% of drivers admitted to driving while under the influence in the last month. In contrast, 69% of drivers admitted to using a cell phone while driving in the last month.
While state and federal laws are being established to try to prevent distracted driving, the best place to start is with yourself. The NSC encourages drivers to take the pledge to Just Drive for your own safety and for others with whom you share the roads.
Resources
http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx
http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/Fatality-Estimates.aspx