Distracted Driving: A Monumental Health Concern
The United States Department of Transportation reported that between 2012 and 2019, nearly 26,004 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver.
Distracted driving isn’t considered just texting or talking on your cell phone while driving anymore. Now the United States Department of Transportation considers distracted driving to be “engaging in an activity that could divert a person’s attention away from that primary task of driving.”
Types of Distractions
- Manual distractions - Taking your hands off the wheel
- Visual distractions - Taking your eyes off the wheel
- Cognitive distractions - Taking your mind off driving
Texting is the most alarming distraction because it causes an individual to take their hands, eyes and mind away from the wheel while driving!
Take Action
- Use your phone’s 'Do Not Disturb' feature to silence calls and texts.
- Put your phone in the glove box or elsewhere while driving.
- Avoid eating, drinking and smoking while driving.
- Never attempt to read while driving, including a map.
- Do not do any personal grooming while driving.
- Avoid a lot of interaction with passengers.
- Emotions can interfere with driving. Do not drive when you are angry or upset.
- Keep music at a reasonable level and avoid using headphones or earbuds.
- Pull over to a safe location and park your vehicle if you need to make a call.
- Do not drive with a pet on your lap.
- Ask a passenger to help navigate, change the music or monitor your texts.
- Pull over to a safe place to address situations involving children.
- Do not daydream when you are behind the wheel.
For more information on Bronson Trauma Service’s Injury Prevention Programs visit bronsonhealth.com/emergency/education or email trauma@bronsonhg.org.
