Sure many of us are extremely busy. Living in a very technologically focused, fast-paced world, we often attempt to multi-task as much as possible. This generally yields efficient results. However, there is one place where multi-tasking often proves detrimental: on the road.
Distracted Driving Kills
Every day across the country, 10 people are killed due to distracted driving. Distracted driving kills about 3500 people annually. Though it is illegal, many drivers have freely admitted to operating their cell phone will driving. About 50% admit to talking on the phone while driving, while 35% admit to sending a text while doing the same.
According to Elizabeth Care, Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for AAA Western and Central New York, in 2015 distracted driving led to 150 fatal crashes in the state of New York alone. She also said that police issued more than 200,000 tickets for drivers using their cell phone during the same year.
Distracted Driving Becomes More Prevalent
Distracted driving is becoming much more common, and according to Carey, “Drivers who talk on the phone while driving are four times as likely to crash, and those who text behind the wheel, 8 times as likely to crash.” But the situation involves even more than just making calls and sending texts. “People are making Snapchat videos, Instagram posts, Facebook Live videos, and more behind the wheel. That’s leading to more and more dangerous situations,” she said.
New York State Trooper, Joseph Cane, shared that one of the biggest misconceptions regarding cell phones behind the wheel is that it is okay to hold the phone out in front of you as long as it’s on speaker. However, this is completely illegal unless your vehicle is stopped at a red light; using your cell phone at all when your car is in drive is a violation. It can result in 5 points on your license and over $200 in fines.
What Can Be Done to Avoid Distracted Driving?
Luckily, there are some things that you can do to avoid distracted driving. These include:
- Getting into your car early to finish what you are doing on your phone
- Pull over if you need to use your phone
- Set your GPS prior to driving
- Put your cell phone in the trunk
- Using apps to send auto-responses while driving (“I’m driving right now and I’ll get back to you when it’s safe.”)
Nothing On a Phone is More Important than a Human Life
Jacy Good knows all too well the damage that distracted driving can do. While on her way home from her college graduation, an 18-wheeler swerved in an attempt to miss a car that was going through a red light, instead hitting the car she was in instead. The driver who went through the red light was talking on his phone. Both of Jacy’s parents were killed in the accident, while she sustained extremely life-threatening injuries but miraculously survived. Now she travels the country sharing her story in the hopes of preventing others from making the same bad decisions. “There is nothing on a phone more important than a human life,” she says
Posted in: Distracted Driving