Staying Safe Starts With You

Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,142 lives with estimated additional 424,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019. NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Get the facts, get involved, and let’s keep America’s roads safe.

In an April 2021 NHTSA Distracted Driving 2019 Summary of Statistic Findings,  the report found nine percent of fatal crashes, 15 percent of injury crashes, and 15 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

What is Distracted Driving?

According the NHTSA, Distracted Driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

We Can All do Our Part

When in the car focus on driving. If tempted to pick up the phone, leave it in your purse or back seat. 

State Laws

We shouldn’t have to depend on legislation to do the right thing, but the consequences are so grave state legislatures and governors have made laws regarding distracted driving. Many states now have laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions while driving. You can visit the Governors Highway Safety Association to learn about the laws in your state.

Commit to Safe Driving

Make a commitment in 2022 to stay focused on safe driving.  It might not be you who is hurt if you don’t. In 2019, there were 566 nonoccupants (pedestrians, cyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected crashes.

Educators can also play a part by spreading the word about the dangers of distracted driving. Businesses and municipalities can establish safe driving policies. 

What Can You do in Your Community?

Concerned about the effects of Distracted Driving in your Community? Contact our Automated Enforcement Experts to discuss your options: 888-666-4218, Ext. 6 for East Coast and Ext. 7 for West Coast.  We can also be reached at [email protected]