The Dangers of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving causes 23% more accidents than non-distracted driving.  The AAA Insurance Company cites that 25 to 50% of all accidents may involve distracted driving.  Statistics indicate that in 2012, 3,328 people were killed in accidents that were classified as distracted driving crashes.  So what constitutes distracted driving and are you guilty of engaging in it?  

The problem has become so prevalent that the NHTSA has a website that is dedicated to identifying and educating people on the dangers of distracted driving.  They define distracted driving as any behavior that “could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.”  As part of their educational campaign, they want the public to understand that whenever a driver is distracted, they create a danger to fellow passengers, any bystanders as well as to themselves.

It is no surprise that the most dangerous activity while driving is texting as it requires the most concentration and thereby the highest level of distraction to a driver.   It is an especially common activity for young, inexperienced drivers under twenty years of age with many reported instances of dire consequences (16% of all distracted driving crashes are caused by drivers under twenty). 

The NHTSA’s list of distracted driving habits:   

·         Texting

·         Using a cell phone or smartphone

·         Eating and drinking

·         Talking to passengers

·         Grooming

·         Reading, including maps

·         Using a navigation system

·         Watching a video

·         Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player 

As part of the education process, NHTSA offers many facts and statistics on the dangers.  They have a library of articles concerning distracted driving behaviors along with all of the crash statistics.  If you visit their site, be sure and check out the interactive map of the U.S. that shows the current laws on cell phone usage and texting for each state.  Read the FAQ’s for even more reason to discontinue distracted driving habits or Take the Pledge. 

* http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on affordable quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as both new and used RVs.