April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Safety and Loss Control Department at KACo wants to highlight the dangers of driving while distracted throughout the month.
There are many ways a driver can be distracted while operating a vehicle, including texting, talking on a cell phone (handheld and hands-free), eating, operating a touchscreen in a vehicle, or any other activity that takes the driver’s eyes and mind off the task of driving.
There are three types of distractions:
Manual distractions cause drivers to take their HANDS off the wheel.
Visual distractions cause drivers to take their EYES off the road.
Cognitive distractions cause drivers to take their MINDS off the road.
Using a cell phone involves ALL of these distractions at the same time.
It is important to understand there is no distinguishable reduction in risk while driving and talking on a handheld device and driving while talking on a hands-free device. The cognitive distraction is virtually the same.
The best way to reduce the risk of having an accident related to the use of a cell phone is not to use a cell phone while driving. Period.
There is no conversation, email or text message that can justify injuring or killing another person while driving a motor vehicle. The majority of people surveyed about the use of cell phones while driving identify this behavior as a major public safety concern according the National Safety Council.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person takes their eyes off the road for five seconds while reading or sending a text message. At 55 mph, this is the same as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. It is impossible to safely operate a motor vehicle while driving blindfolded. A distracted driver is 23.2 times more likely to have a collision while driving than a driver who is paying attention.
Approximately nine people are killed every day in the U.S. by a distracted driver.
Do your part, and stay focused while driving.
