You were texting while driving? In a work zone?

Distracted driving is an epidemic. It is more than texting. Add navigation apps, watching YouTube, eating, drinking, the list is long and the results are frightening. An undisciplined driver with his attention diverted, becomes a hazard to himself and to those around him. In construction zones, on high speed roads, this is an extremely dangerous combination

Key points

• Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction.
• Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.
• Distracted driving is preventable. Do not multi-task while driving.

Overview

Distracted driving is doing another activity that takes the driver's attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.

There are three main types of distraction:

• Visual: taking your eyes off the road
• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive: taking your mind off driving

Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road.

Impact

Distracted driving impacts thousands of Americans each year.

• Nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.
• In the United States, over 3,100 people were killed and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019.
• About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles―they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.

Brought to you, free of charge, by the Electric Conduit Construction Safety Department.