If you live in the Chicago area and you and your family members drive cars, you need to educate your family about the dangers of distracted driving. Although many people dismiss these dangers, and even operate their smartphones while they’re behind the wheel, a quick review of the following statistics should be enough to open their eyes.
Share this list of U.S. distracted driving statistics with family and friends, as it may inspire them to stay safe and attentive behind the wheel. It could even save their lives:
- Distracted driving causes approximately 25 percent of car accident deaths.
- On average, teenagers have the highest potential for driving while distracted, and distracted driving causes approximately 58 percent of crashes.
- Distracted driving caused approximately 391,000 injuries and 3,477 deaths in 2015.
- Every day, nine people die as a result of distracted driving in the United States.
- A three-second break from watching the road is enough to cause a fatal distracted driving collision.
- Americans are more addicted to their smartphones than ever, and they’re driving more miles than they ever have in the past.
- Safety officials have described distracted driving to be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Just like drunk driving, the more drivers get away with it, the more they’re likely to drive distracted again.
- Police have a difficult time identifying distracted drivers.
- More than 80 percent of motorists admit that they have engaged in hazardous behavior behind the wheel, like steering with their knees or feet, painting their nails, eating, shaving and changing clothes.
- Drunk driving accident fatalities have declined over the years, thanks to education and law enforcement. However, overall driving fatalities have been rising. Experts believe that smartphone distractions are partly to blame for the modern rise in vehicle-related deaths.
Be careful to drive without distractions
The next time you get behind the wheel, turn your smartphone off make sure it’s not within reach. Limit conversations with your passengers, don’t eat behind the wheel and avoid making adjustments to the radio. Essentially, use common sense to ensure that you’re as attentive and careful behind the wheel as possible. You might save your life, the life of someone you love or the life of someone else on the road by avoiding a fatal distracted driving collision.