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Distracted Driving Can Have Deadly Consequences Distracted driving poses a serious and potentially deadly danger. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 6,000 people lost their lives, and more than half-a-million people were injured in crashes attributed to distracted driving in 2008, the latest year for which data is available.
Distracted driving is any non-driving activity that increases the risk of crashing. Talking on a cell phone, texting while driving, eating, drinking, talking with passengers and using in-vehicle technology and portable electronic devices all distract drivers from their primary responsibility of driving safely. There are also other less-obvious forms of distractions, including daydreaming or dealing with strong emotions.
The three main types of distraction include:
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 can be the most dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction.
“The NTTA encourages you to consider your options when driving and to make smart, safe decisions,” said Marty Legé, director of System and Incident Management for the NTTA. “No task is so important that you should risk your life and the lives of others by taking your focus off driving.”
Did You Know?
Research on distracted driving reveals some alarming facts:
In 2008, (the latest year for which data is available) there were a total of 34,017 fatal crashes in which 37,261 individuals were killed.
In 2008, 5,870 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction (16 percent of all fatalities).
The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of the fatal crashes increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008.
Drivers younger than 20 had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes (16 percent). The age group with the next greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the 20- to 29-year-old age group (12 percent).
Motorcyclists and drivers of light trucks had the greatest percentage of distracted drivers in fatal crashes (12 percent).
For more information about distracted driving, visit www.distraction.gov.
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